YMCA wins £2.25m for flats plan

A charity has won £2.25m for its plan to build flats for young homeless people in Norfolk.

The YMCA received the cash from the Home and Communities Agency for a £4.2m complex of 40 self-contained flats.

The flats are proposed for the back of the YMCA's current accommodation in St Giles Street, Norwich.

It hopes to able to submit plans to the city council by the end of November, with, if successful, a completion date of 2011.

The charity said its 34 flats near the city's bus station have been full since they opened in January.

Chief executive of YMCA Norfolk Tim Sweeting said there is a "constant and ongoing need for housing and support" in Norwich.

"This new supported accommodation will be provided to both men and women who are looking to become self-supporting and will be the last step on their journey before moving on to independent living," he added.