PROPOSALS to build new apartments to reduce the number of 18 to 25-year-olds at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness have been approved.

An application proposing the construction of six new one-bed apartment units, as well as a one-bed staff accommodation unit, on land opposite 75 Troutbeck Avenue, came before the development management committee on Thursday.

An application proposing the construction of six new one-bed apartment units, as well as a one-bed staff accommodation unit, on land adjacent to 79 Longshaw Street, also came before the committee.

Both of the applications were approved, subject to conditions, with delegated authority given to the development manager to make non-material changes to planning conditions and reasons as may be necessary prior to the issue of the decision.

The reports to the committee highlighted that each of the developments are to create six one-bed 'self-contained independent but supported living' apartment units for 'high-needs homeless young people', including care leavers, and a one-bed staff accommodation unit reserved for a 24 hour on-site care manager.

According to the reports, it is also intended that the manager’s accommodation in each of the developments will be used for 'meetings and de-briefing requirements during staff change-overs' – and all apartments 'would have separate private access doors'.

The reports to the committee say the proposals are sought to support WBC’s housing and homelessness team in providing accommodation to reduce the number of 18 to 25-year-olds at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness.

They added that the children’s social care team will also benefit from the proposals as young people in placements post-18 can be ‘moved on’, into the proposed Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) units, thereby ‘freeing up a placement to allow movement for children needing placements’.

The reports also stated that the projects are to be part-funded by the SHAP project – a £200 million Government initiative which aims to deliver up to 2,400 homes and support services for ‘people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness by provided supported housing’, adding that Homes England will provide 50 per cent of the construction costs which will be match-funded by the council, with Homes England funding the support staff for the first three years.