Spirit Partnership led by Coast & Country is set to receive £2.9m from the Government to extend its successful Empty Homes scheme in Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Hartlepool.

The scheme will look to refurbish a further 205 properties and provide more training to those seeking construction work experience by working with a number of social enterprises that support and train young unemployed people, such as Community Campus, East Cleveland Youth Housing Trust, Opening Doors and Five Lamps.

Coast & Country originally joined forces with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Community Campus 87 and East Cleveland Youth Housing Trust to bring long-term empty properties back into use, while providing a range of training opportunities and the provision of a new home for an affordable rent.

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The partnership, which is funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), saw eleven properties brought back into use in its first year, with another 29 properties to be completed by the end of March, with 30 trainees working on them.

The announcement of more cash for the scheme was made by Communities Minister Andrew Stunell, who last year visited a Redcar property being renovated under Coast & Country’s Empty Homes project.

During his visit, he said: "I am very impressed to see how Coast & Country and its partners, through this Empty Homes scheme, are not only tackling this pressing need, but also providing training to help people acquire the skills that could help them find work.

"Coast & Country's collaborative approach reflects exactly what the Government, which is determined to overcome the affordable homes shortfall, wants to see happening in local communities."

(CD/GK)