The second phase of a £3.7m housing development to prevent homelessness gets underway on World Homeless Day. ForHousing‘s development features 15 one-bedroom apartments in Somerset Road, Eccles, built to address a shortage of low-cost supported accommodation available to people who face becoming homeless in Greater Manchester.

The first phase of the scheme, in Haddon Road, was launched by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett in April.

The one-bedroom self-contained apartments will transform three former garage sites in Eccles that had become hotspots for anti-social behaviour into up to 39 new homes. The third site, in Vicars Street, is awaiting planning approval.

The new homes will be let at a low-cost, sub-social rent and include free utility bills and service charges. ForHousing, which also delivers homeless services to Cheshire West & Chester Council, will also support each tenant for two years into employment and training opportunities, and long-term accommodation.

Nigel Sedman, Group Director of Homes, said: “It is fitting that we begin work on the second phase of this important development on World Homeless Day. We know that for many people, especially those at risk of homelessness, securing somewhere affordable to live is a real challenge.

“It’s really positive to see the great progress we’re making on this development, which will provide a safe place for tenants to call home and provide them with vital support to fuel their potential and plan their future.

“We will offer expert support to people to get back into work and secure a long-term home.”

The news comes at a time when more than 5,500 people are homeless across Greater Manchester and more than 1,000 are homeless in Salford.

ForHousing owns and manages more than 24,000 homes across the North-west.

The development has been designed by JDA Architects and will be built by Bridgestone Construction. A grant of £1.43m has been secured from Homes England towards the scheme.

Haddon Road is scheduled to be completed in December, with Somerset Road due in Summer 2020 with Vicars Street expecting to start on site in November.