Work starts on new housing for the homeless

Work has started to build eight new ‘move-on homes’ for the homeless in Salford. The site at Eccles New Road is the first of two sites in Salford to deliver critically needed homes as part of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, known as RSAP.

The scheme also incorporates six affordable two-bedroom houses. Salford has seen an increase in homelessness since 2012. This includes sofa surfers, rough sleeping, unstable accommodation, or people at risk of homelessness or struggling to keep a home.

Salford city council, developer Identity Consult and architects Buttress are working towards this by developing the two sites - the current one at Eccles New Road and one in the development pipeline in Weaste. The move-on homes are specifically designed to provide all the elements of a home in a small, compact design.

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The aim is to provide the occupier with a comfortable and secure base from which to establish themselves with an address, a bank account and through to employment. Salford city mayor Paul Dennett said: “As part of our long-term strategy to ensure that everyone has a home, this is a key project to start on-site for Salford.

“This project is a crucial part of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme and reflects our dedication to addressing homelessness.” Coun Tracy Kelly, deputy city mayor and lead member for housing, property and regeneration said: “By working with local partners and the community, we can build homes that enable people to live independently and move forward with our vision