MORE homeless people in Warrington will be getting vital help thanks to a new facility opening this week.
The New Start facility – a borough council initiative – near to the town centre contains six bedsits, laundry room and garden for single homeless people in Warrington.
There is also an annex attached to the main building – ground floor bungalow-style accommodation – which is self-contained for homeless couples.
The New Start project has already helped many people move on to more permanent housing and this third building now means even more people can find the hand-up that they need.
There are now 19 New Start beds available in Warrington.
New Start provides short and medium term accommodation and support to people sleeping rough, those deemed at risk of rough sleeping or accessing emergency night shelter facilities in Warrington – who have a local connection to the town.
People accessing the service are then offered help by officers to prepare them for moving on to a more stable home by addressing any issues which may prevent them from moving on.
The bedsits have bathrooms and kitchens and individuals are provided with bedding, towels and toiletries.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, the council’s lead member for public health, said: “I am very impressed by the standard of accommodation we are offering as part of our New Start programme. The flats at the new building are well-equipped and welcoming.
“The New Start programme is a really positive addition to our homelessness services, supporting people who would find it difficult to access and engage with other offers. The close support offered is a really important aspect of what we do, and is helping people to get their lives back on track.
“As a council we are committed to supporting homeless people and to getting them off the streets and into suitable accommodation.”
Anyone who see people sleeping rough should contact either Housing Plus or the national Streetlink charity:
*Email [email protected] or call 246868
*Out of hours call 444400 – and ask for the homelessness officer
*Streetlink phone line: 0300 500 0914 https://streetlink.force.com/
