New homes for rough sleepers in Rochdale

Stepping Stone was commissioned to deliver more services in Rochdale as part of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s A Bed Every Night scheme

A partnership between Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and homelessness charity Stepping Stone Projects has provided 10 new homes for people facing life on the streets in the Rochdale borough.

The mutual housing society will provide the self-contained, one bedroom apartments on Long Street, Middleton to the charity, which will provide essential support services to those looking for a safe and secure place to call home.

The deal is part of an ongoing partnership between the landlord and charity which has now provided more than 50 homes across the borough.

Earlier this year Stepping Stone was commissioned to deliver more services in the borough of Rochdale as part of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s A Bed Every Night scheme, which aims to ensure nobody sleeps rough in the region.

That saw RBH provide an additional six homes to Stepping Stone for people sleeping rough. The landlord also provides around 20 homes to the charity for temporary and move on accommodation as well as 16 homes at a group supported housing scheme.

Gareth Swarbrick, RBH chief executive, said: “I’m really proud that we are able to expand our partnership with Stepping Stone Projects to help more local people off the streets and into safe and high quality homes. These new homes are about far more than bricks and mortar – I know that the dedicated team at Stepping Stone will provide residents the support that residents need to rebuild their lives and thrive.”

Dave Smith, chief executive of Stepping Stone Projects, added: “This is another great example of partners working together to end homelessness in Rochdale and across the North West.

“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the scale of the homelessness challenge and provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to engage with people and empower them to build a new life away from the streets.

“The relationship between Stepping Stone Projects and RBH goes back nearly two decades and we remain committed to working together to offer help and support to those who need it most.”

Rochdale-based Stepping Stone Projects provides support to people across the North West who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.