The investment will help some of the most vulnerable people in the North East gain the skills and confidence to move on to independence.
Communities and Local Government's 'places of change' programme has already achieved dramatic results by transforming hostels into 'not just a place for the night, but a place back into the world of work.' There has already been a 30 per cent increase in clients moving on successfully into training, education, employment, or independent living as a result of new services available.
Iain Wright said:
"Getting people off the street is not just about providing a bed for the night - hostels and homeless services must also be a springboard to jobs and opportunity. While homelessness is at its lowest level for twenty years, we need to see a greater emphasis on helping homeless people develop the skills and confidence to end their homelessness for good. This scheme is already proving a major success and this new funding will transform the lives of hundreds of homeless people in the North East."
The winning projects in the North East are:
- Tyneside Cyrenians - A new sports academy and direct access hostel in partnership with Gateshead and South Tyneside Councils.
- An innovative scheme at Byker Bridge, Newcastle to set up a series of social enterprises, for example a fruit juice making business.
- Middlesbrough's STAGES Move On Academy, which includes a health centre, community radio station and gym with a hostel for homeless people.
The announcement came as Caroline Flint today outlined a range of measures to strengthen the links between access to housing and training and jobs.
At a major meeting of homeless charities, the Housing Corporation and the Local Government Association in London, she also announced:-
- A new prospectus inviting all councils to be one of 15 local 'trailblazers' and pioneer new approaches to linking housing and job services. Moving away from a one-size fits all approach, these will offer advice about all the options on offer - from social housing to private sector renting and low cost home ownership.
Advice won't be restricted to housing, but will also look at people's overall circumstances - whether they need advice on childcare, training, or employment. This more holistic approach is already working successfully for those at risk of becoming homeless, but now the principles will help people in need before they reach crisis point.
- A new Employment Academy for London by Thames Reach will help hundreds of rough sleepers and homeless people into education, training and employment. To be funded by £4million of new investment and based south of the Thames, it will include employment advice, activities, skills training and social enterprise helping homeless people learn new skills and meals, run by chef Simon Boyle. It will also provide business start-up advice and fund training in painting, decorating and maintenance for teams of 'handymen' employed by Lambeth Council.
- Two new stakeholder groups headed by independent experts in the housing sector looking at potential incentives, obligations and support for those entering social housing to help them take up employment. Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of the Foyer Federation, will lead the 'Incentives and Obligations' policy group. June Barnes will head the 'Housing Support' group which will look at support tenants may need to move into work and how this might best be delivered.
- The CIH will develop good practice guidance for housing providers on tackling worklessness, sponsored by the Housing Corporation.
