Homeless project in Fleetwood has £25k grant renewed for two years by Wyre Council

George Williams House, on Broomfield Road, was given the financial support by Wyre Council, in support of the bulk of funding the amenity receives from Lancashire County Council.However, since 2017 County Hall has reduced its funding of the project by £25,000 a year and without the support from Wyre, the project would not be able to afford the case worker which is essential to its work.The housing scheme provides a crucial service in the borough by housing those who are homeless or those who are threatened with homelessness, including families.Over the past two years there have been 42 families placed in George Williams House – eleven more than the previous two years.

Of these, 16 have secured tenancies with social housing providers, 17 have tenancies in the private rented sector, and three have moved in with their family or partner.

Many of these have complex needs and include those struggling issues such as debt, domestic violence and mental health issues.Owned by the Regenda Group, the building is currently leased to The Salvation Army which provides the service and has been operating there since 2004.The funding was approved by Coun Roger Berry, Wyre’s neighbourhood services and community safety portfolio holder and will be allocated from the council’s Flexible Homelessness Support Grant.

Coun Berry said: “This amenity provides a vital service for a wide range of people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.”

"It helps people who are facing real difficulties in their lives and we are more than pleased to continue to support it.A council report stated: “The building is effectively split in two and provides six single units of accommodation for young people and nine family units of accommodation.“George Williams House is also regularly used by Wyre’s Housing Options Team as a neutral venue to conduct homeless interviews with those who may not easily be able to attend the Civic Centre.”The caseworker provides the skills necessary for those using the facility to maintain their own tenancy, and will support them when they move on.County’s share of the funding comes from the Supporting People’s Grant.