Leading councillors for Chichester District have approved funding for two organisations to support projects that will help reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in the district.
Homeless charity Stonepillow and the Chichester Greyfriars Housing Association will each receive £100,000 to go to specific projects. The funding was agreed by Chichester District Council’s Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday 3 November 2020.
Stonepillow will use the money to purchase a private property in the centre of Chichester which will provide move-on accommodation for rough sleepers. This will help the charity to provide more long-term support options for clients.
The Chichester Greyfriars Housing Association will use the money to make a series of new homes they will be constructing available at social rents for older people on low incomes. The five one-bedroom flats will be built in Royal Close, Chichester. They will complement eight flats which are already being constructed on the site thanks to £160,000 that the district council provided in March 2020.
The money has been allocated through the council’s ‘commuted sums’ scheme. This requires developers to make payments to the local planning authority where they are unable to include affordable housing as part of a new development.
“We are delighted to be able to approve the funding for these two very important projects,” explains Councillor Alan Sutton, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events at Chichester District Council. “As part of the council’s Housing Strategy we are committed to supporting the development of 1,000 affordable homes for local people by 2025 as well as reducing rough sleeping in our district. Both projects fit these important objectives.
“We continue to work closely with several charities and housing organisations in the district to ensure that rough sleepers receive the right support and that people on low incomes have access to good quality and affordable housing.”
