Charity to get 30 homeless people housed in flats

A recovery charity is set to launch a new housing scheme for people with a long history of homelessness.

The project by Ara Recovery 4 All, which helps vulnerable clients in Bristol with issues such as gambling and homelessness, will include flats across the city for up to 30 clients, in their own tenancies.

Clients accepted onto the scheme, which is in partnership will Bristol City Council, will also be provided with support throughout.

Ara Housing First manager, Andy Cook, said the scheme would give people a "chance to make a new start and recover from the trauma of being homeless".

• Hear Andrew Cook from the charity explain more on BBC Sounds.

A living room, which will be tenanted by someone on the scheme

'Dynamic system change'

"Our aim will be to support people to maintain their tenancy and access services appropriate to them in the time and way they choose," he added.

The approach has already been implemented in Liverpool, Manchester and the West Midlands and, in addition to reducing levels of rough sleeping, has reduced anti-social behaviour, hospital admissions, and cost savings to homeless and others services in society.

Robbie Thornhill, Ara’s director of recovery and resettlement, said: “Housing First represents dynamic system change for the way Bristol responds to people who experience multiple disadvantage.

"The enduring offer we are making is to support people in the way they want for as long as they want," he added.

Robbie Thornhill said the charity would support people for as long as necessary