Herefordshire is to spend £1.8 million buying up “at least ten” homes for young homeless people in the county.
Herefordshire Council confirmed its plan to “address gaps in homelessness for vulnerable young people (age 18-25) at risk or experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping”.
Half of the sum will come from a £910,000 government capital grant, while a further £402,000 comes from the NHS Better Care Fund.
The remaining £498,000 comes from so-called “section 106” funding, paid by developers into local community infrastructure as a condition of gaining planning permission for building projects in the county.
It will provide budget of up to £157,000 to buy each property, a further £15,000 for refurbishment, and £5,500 for surveys and legal fees.
These will serve as “stepping-stones towards independent living”, reducing the risk of young people falling back into homelessness and rough sleeping, the council said.
It confirmed it has already spent £147,500 on an unnamed property, which it says can be refurbished within the £15,000 budget.
The council has a statutory duty to house those who are unintentionally homeless, and a responsibility to boost the life chances of looked-after children and care leavers, its decision points out.
Ludlow Town Council told to fund parking order
Eight-figure sum quoted to fix Ledbury station access
Pothole chaos on Shropshire’s rural roads
Shropshire Council wants to link up with Telford and Wrekin
72 roads to be treated across Shropshire
Shropshire NHS called to act over cause of ‘twice as many deaths as breast cancer’
Pegasus FC cruise to huge win over Worcester Raiders in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Marsh Challenge Cup Semi Final
More than 550 new EV charging points coming
