Russet Homes housing young people at risk

Published by Barbara H for Russet Homes in Housing and also in Communities, Education, Environment, Health, Local Government

A new housing project for young people at risk was given the thumbs up at a recent planning meeting giving Russet Homes the go ahead to provide nine self contained apartments at New Wharf Road in Tonbridge.

Russet Homes were selected by the three west Kent local authorities Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling and Sevenoaks to develop a housing project for young people at risk in each of the three boroughs. The Kent Supporting People Programme will be tendering for a support provider for the three schemes in due course. The Programme is currently funding floating support to help young people at risk while the schemes are in development. Substantial support packages will be offered to the young people at risk, once the scheme is ready following the tendering exercise.

Funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and supported by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council the development at New Wharf Road is expected to start building work in the autumn and aims to complete in winter 2010.

Chosen for its excellent location in the community close to shops, transport links and West Kent College the scheme will provide young people aged 16-25 who are considered to be at risk a secure and accessible place to live. Each apartment will be fully self-contained with its own kitchen and bathroom offering complete privacy and individual living accommodation.

Many of the new residents will have experienced a number of wide ranging issues and challenges. Support will be provided to each young person to help them set up home and learn essential everyday skills so that they can eventually move on to live independently in a permanent home of their own.

Keith Andrews, Managing Director of Russet Homes, said: “Having been selected by the west Kent local authorities to develop these projects for young people at risk, we are extremely pleased to have now obtained planning permission for the first scheme in Tonbridge.

“Improving peoples’ life chances is at the heart of our work and we hope this new scheme will give vulnerable young people the opportunity and skills to build an independent and fulfilling life.”

Part of Circle Anglia – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing -  Russet Homes own and manage over 6,600 properties making them the largest provider of rented social housing within Tonbridge & Malling.