A new project aims to eradicate homelessness in Barrow by supporting people with complex needs into housing and providing them support to stay there.

Barrow Council is proposing to adapt one of its houses for people with complex needs.

The house will be converted into four self-contained units, based on a model from Finland, called ‘Housing First,’ where organisations intervene to support homeless people with multiple and complex needs – such as mental health and alcohol and drug misuse – who would benefit from independent housing.

Documents seen ahead of the executive committee meeting showed that an appointment of a suitably-qualified contractor to undertake the design will be found with a view to progressing the plans.

They also show that earmarked reserves will be used to finance any conversion project.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Council, said: “One of our key priorities as a council is to provide support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“We are now working with partners in the area on a ‘Housing First support model,’ which would include the creation of four self-contained units within a disused council property in the borough.

“This type of transitional housing model would increase the options for those who are vulnerable as well as putting the right support in place to prevent them from becoming homeless at the earliest opportunity.”

Councillor Ann Burns, who represents Hindpool for Labour, said she would like local residents near the proposed development to be consulted to seek their opinions before it was given the go ahead.

Alex Smith, senior project manager at Homeless Link, the membership body for frontline homelessness charities in England, said: “Having a home is a basic human right that should apply to everyone.

“Housing First is a housing-led approach used internationally to support people to move on from homelessness.

"It’s intended for people with experiences of rough sleeping, drug or alcohol use, mental health issues and offending behaviour.

"It gives people their own home alongside intensive support to maintain it.

"In Finland, where ‘Housing First’ is national government policy, rough sleeping has all but been eradicated.

“The Government is currently funding three regional pilots of Housing First in Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and the West Midlands with incredible results."