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Homeless people in Boston will benefit for years to come from a new purpose-built supported housing complex – the first of its kind in the town.

Framework, a charity working with homeless people across Lincolnshire and the wider region, has been granted permission to build 18 units of supported housing for homeless people on the site of a former pub in Lincoln Lane.

Residents, who are expected to move into the completed site in Autumn 2020, will be housed in self-contained fats, each with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room.

As well as having a roof over their heads, they will be supported by staff 24/7 to address the challenges they face – gaining greater control over their lives before moving on to more independent accommodation.

The development, jointly funded by Homes England, Framework, and the Medlock Trust, has been supported throughout by Boston MP Matt Warman and Boston Borough Council. It will replace existing accommodation at South Terrace – an older building that was not purpose-built to house homeless people.

Framework Chief Executive Andrew Redfern said: “This kind of modern, purpose built accommodation has been desperately needed in Boston for many years, and we have been working for very hard to make it a reality.

“I am, then, delighted that so many partners have come together to help fund and facilitate this project. We are especially grateful to Homes England and the Medlock Trust for supporting us with funding, and also to the Borough Council and local MP Matt Warman for their support.

“The increase in homelessness and rough sleeping locally and across the county over the last ten years has been alarming. The key to tackling it successfully is to provide high quality supported accommodation where people can live with dignity, in good quality accommodation where they can receive the support they need to get their lives back on track.

“Effective partnership working is key to delivering this kind of accommodation and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in this project to date. I know that this development will be a vital asset in tackling homelessness in Boston for many years to come.”

MP for Boston and Skegness Matt Warman commented: “The number of homeless people is Boston is clearly a serious issue that needs tackling in a long-term way. It is vital not just to provide a roof but also to provide the essential support and access to services that individuals who may be dealing with longstanding issues around mental health, drug or alcohol abuse need to get back on their feet and turn their lives around. That is the reason I have been so keen over many months to support this scheme in partnership with Framework and the Borough Council. I am delighted that funding from Homes England and the Medlock Trust along with Framework have made this project viable and am looking forward to the opening of this purpose-built facility’

David Medlock, Chair of the Medlock Trust, said: “Having maintained close contact with, and support for, the Centrepoint homelessness charity in Boston for many years I am pleased that the Medlock Trust has been able to provide funding to unlock this project which will undoubtedly enhance the support and provision available in Boston for those individuals in need of this help.”