Posted 1st Aug 2005

Councillor Carl Crompton and Foundation's Manager Karen Little outside the £2.3m Foundations building in Preston (above).

As previously reported, New Progress Housing Association has invested in two new purpose built housing schemes for the homeless - The Foundations Project and The Bridge, both of which are now open.

The Foundations project, based on Oxford Street in the Avenham area in Preston is a new two-storey building, housing 22 self-contained flats. The design and building of the £2.3m project marks the first major partnership between Preston City Council and New Progress to create new housing. The government's Housing Corporation invested £2m in the project, with New Progress and Preston City Council jointly funding the remaining £364,000.

Similarly, The Bridge based on Clarence Street in Chorley marks the first major partnership deal between New Progress and Chorley Borough Council. The new three-storey building housing ten self-contained flats, received £650,000 worth of funding from the Housing Corporation, with New Progress and Chorley Borough Council funding the remaining costs of the £821,000 scheme.

Both will provide much needed housing for young homeless people. Commenting on Foundations, Kevin Mordue Head of Housing Advice at Preston City Council said: "This is good news for Preston. It is an imaginative scheme that will provide high quality temporary accommodation."

Councillor Laura Lennox from Chorley Council, speaking about The Bridge said: "This development is an excellent opportunity for the Council and our partners to provide an enhanced service to single homeless people in Chorley."

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