£3.5million homeless project opens
1:10pm Friday 28th March 2008
A £3.5million flagship project for the homeless has opened in Darwen.
The James Street Project, between Bury Street and James Street near the town centre, is a supported housing scheme for single homeless people aged 18 to 65.
Owned and managed by Twin Valley Homes working in partnership with the borough council, it aims to get people off the streets permanently by providing support and training.
Thirty flats, meeting rooms, classrooms, a gym, a digital media suite and medical facilities are staffed by a team of 20 on a rota system 24 hours a day.
Ian Bell, of Twin Valley Homes, said: "There is nowhere else like this in Lancashire as far as I'm aware."
Despite nearby residents' concerns about the project when plans were submitted, Mr Bell said there had been no complaints since the opening.
He said: "The Darwen Shop and Business Association have held a meeting here, as have the local Police and Communities Together team. They seemed impressed by the facilities and will be using the meeting rooms we have.
"It is a major investment into the town and we hope that people will appreciate it."
Mr Bell added: "It's not a direct access hostel like Police Street was, people must be referred by the Housing Needs Team at the council.
"We have had several incidences already where we have had to turn people away from the door. The key aim of what we are doing is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing skills training and building confidence.
"We have also set up links with external agencies and hope to get football training sessions with Blackburn Rovers."
People who move into the centre cannot stay longer than two years but it is hoped the average stay will be 12 months. Already 17 people have moved in and it is expected all rooms will be full in another month.
Ann Dearden, 19, will be moving into a flat at the project shortly.
She said: "I'm looking forward to moving in, it's a lot better than the other homeless places I've been.
"I'm from Darwen, all my friends and family are here, so moving back was a big ambition of mine."