Support for single households facing homelessness
ADDITIONAL support and accommodation is now available for single households who are
experiencing homelessness across County Durham.
Durham County Council has received government funding to establish a Single Homelessness
Accommodation Programme (SHAP), to provide up to 32 bed spaces for people from County Durham
who have been sleeping rough or who are at risk of becoming a rough sleeper. It will see three hubs
opening in Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and Tow Law, with the Bishop Auckland hub being the first
to open its doors last week. Additional accommodation in Tow Law and Spennymoor will open over
the coming months.
In addition to accommodation, dedicated support will be provided to those accessing the service,
helping them to become more able to move onto independent living. The council is working with
Emmaus North East to provide accommodation for adults over the age of 25 and Depaul UK for
those aged 18 to 25.
Cllr Nicola Lyons, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for stronger communities and
belonging, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer more support, through both safe
accommodation and wider support services, to single households from County Durham who are
experiencing homelessness.
“Working together with our partners at Emmaus North East and Depaul UK, we can equip people
with the skills needed to live independent and fulfilling lives and help prevent homelessness. As well
as helping to reduce homelessness, the programme will also help to reduce the number of hospital
admissions and crisis presentations and offer those who are struggling much more stability.”
Ruth Parker, chief executive of Emmaus North East, said: “We’re honoured to have been awarded
the contract by Durham County Council to deliver vital support to individuals experiencing
homelessness in the region. This partnership represents a major milestone in our ongoing mission to
expand our reach and respond to the growing national crisis of rough sleeping and housing
insecurity.
“This exciting collaboration holds the potential to transform countless lives and is perfectly aligned
with Emmaus North East’s core values and vision.”
Dan Dumoulin, Depaul UK’s director of development and external affairs, said: “Depaul UK is
excited to partner with Durham County Council to provide vital accommodation for young people.
No one should ever have to endure the dangers of sleeping rough, and we know that other forms of
homelessness, like staying with strangers, can be equally if not more harmful for young people.
“Building on Depaul UK’s commitment to securing more housing for those who need it most, we
are dedicated to working tirelessly with our partners until every person has a safe place to call
home.”
