A former Victorian 'villa' in Tameside is to be transformed into new flats for people facing homelessness.

Charity Stepping Stone Projects is working with the council to make 13 self contained apartments available in Audenshaw later this year.

A large dilapidated Victorian property is to be refurbished to provide the accommodation, however the charity said it could not confirm the location of the property at the current time.

Under the plans, social enterprise Cornerstone Place has purchased the building and will now carry out work to refurbish it.

Stepping Stone Projects, which helps the homeless, will then take over its running and says it will be using the homes to provide ‘vital services’ to local people.

Cornerstone Place works with charity clients to source the properties, arrange funding and manage builds so they can be used for essential community needs. 

Work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Once finished, the Stepping Stone Projects will work with Ashton Pioneer Homes, who will ensure property and service standards, and Tameside council to provide homes and support services.

Among these will be access to training and employment help to support residents who would otherwise be facing life on the streets. 

Dave Smith, chief executive of Stepping Stone Projects said: “With homelessness expected to increase in the coming months as the furlough scheme closes and the ban on evictions comes to an end, it’s vital that housing providers, charities and other support services work together to provide much-needed solutions.”

Stepping Stone Projects was originally set up in 1984 in partnership with Rochdale council, but now offers services including accommodation and support for vulnerable people at risk of homelessness across the North West.

The charity said that the development of the property did not require planning permission as it was originally used as supported accommodation around five years ago.

It has been ’empty and run down’ since then.

Cornerstone Place co-founder David Ball added: “Our model is unique in that it brings buildings and funding to charities, develops the buildings, then gradually shifts the ownership to the charity.

“We are thrilled to be working with Stepping Stone Projects and Ashton Pioneer Homes on this project.”  

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked Tameside council for comment.

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