Housing young people with additional needs

A pioneering scheme to help house people with additional needs has approved by council leaders in Bury.

They have given the green light to proposals from developers Merston and housing provider Inclusion to create high quality flats in Bury town centre in Crompton Street.

The first project of its kind in the borough, it will provide a transitional home for seven young Bury adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, aged 18 to 25, along with a staff unit and space for communal activities.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for adult care, health and wellbeing, said: “This is a fantastic and innovative support service.

“Young adults will be supported to learn skills for independent living over a period of up to two years, with a further two years’ outreach support available to them after they leave.

“This support service, the first of its kind in Bury, will offer an aspirational “own front door” accommodation to young adults, with support which encourages them to be independent and progress to other housing opportunities.

“The outreach support is designed to offer continuity of support at a time of change and prevent escalation of a crisis situation as a result.”

Cabinet agreed to confirm its commissioning intentions to Merston and Inclusion to proceed with the Crompton Street project.

Councillor Clare Cummins, cabinet member for housing services, said: “Through our housing strategy, we are trying to bring the right mixture of homes into Bury for people of all ages, family size and requirements.

“This scheme increases housing choices for our young adults with additional needs, enabling an increased number of people to live independently with support, encouraging them to move on into homes of their own in the future.

“This scheme has several innovative aspects, and will also bring in investment by the developer and jobs provided by the care provider.”