Broadacres Housing Association has secured a major new contract to more than double the number of vulnerable people it supports across parts of North Yorkshire.
The housing association has been awarded North Yorkshire Council’s new LIFE (Living Independently for Everyone) contract following a competitive tender process.
The five-year contract, which includes the option of a two-year extension, will begin in October and cover Scarborough, Ryedale, Hambleton and Richmondshire.
Under the new arrangements, Broadacres will increase the number of people it supports from 61 to up to 150 by the fourth year of the contract.
The expanded service will provide both accommodation-based support and floating support to help people with mental health issues and other complex needs live independently, sustain tenancies and avoid homelessness or hospital admissions.
Unlike the existing service, the new contract will also support people experiencing multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, substance misuse, autism, mild learning disabilities and other complex needs.
Broadacres says it will recruit additional support workers and make greater use of its existing housing stock, including bringing empty homes back into use and reviewing properties that are no longer suitable for general needs housing.
Katie Wharfedale, Broadacres’ service manager for support services, extra care and sheltered housing, said: “This is a really exciting step forward for Broadacres and a significant vote of confidence from North Yorkshire Council in our support services.
“The new LIFE contract will enable us to support a much wider group of people who may be struggling with a combination of challenges, not just a single issue.
“We’ll be growing our teams, making use of existing homes and working closely with partners such as mental health and substance misuse services to make sure people get the right support at the right time.
“Ultimately, it’s about helping people live independently, build life skills and move on into more stable, long-term housing.”
She added that Broadacres’ existing presence across the four areas meant it was well placed to deliver the expanded service.
People using the accommodation element of the scheme will typically stay for one to two years while receiving tailored support before moving into permanent housing.
The floating support service will also help people living in their own homes or with other landlords by providing practical assistance such as budgeting, tenancy support and access to specialist services.
Broadacres is now recruiting additional support workers ahead of the new service starting in October.
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