Lottery cash helps city homeless

A scheme to help homeless people find private rented accommodation and prepare for work has been awarded a lottery grant of more than £400,000.

The Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme announced it will provide £442,503 for Brighton Housing Trust's Firm Foundations project.

The four-year scheme helps homeless people gain job and life skills.

It includes a tenant accreditation scheme for those with no tenant track record or a poor credit history.

Participants can create a portfolio of qualities designed to meet the requirements of private landlords, such as the ability to pay rent.

They can also learn about their responsibilities as tenants.

'Wonderful grant'

Andy Winter, chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust, said the funding could help more than 900 homeless people put down roots.

"Brighton and Hove has three times the national average of accommodation in the private rented sector," he said.

"This wonderful grant from the Big Lottery Fund will enable us to develop housing solutions by working with private landlords."

Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund head of region for the South East, said: "Big is delighted to support the Brighton Housing Trust to help some of the people most in need increase their life chances."