A GROUP of young homeless people are settling into a new £1.4m purpose-built development in a North Yorkshire town.

Broadacres has built nine one-bedroom apartments on the site of the former Station House on Boroughbridge Road, next to Northallerton railway station.

Known as the Crossing, the scheme has replaced Broadacres’ previous homelessness service at 57 South Parade, Northallerton.

The nine self-contained apartments, all have their own bedroom, bathroom and living area with kitchen. There is also a communal area called the Underground.

Coloured lines like those on the London Underground also feature heavily throughout the building with each resident having their own coloured line that leads from the entrance of the building directly to their room. 

Resident Cassia King, 19, said: “I really like my new apartment, it is spacious and has everything I need, so I can choose to spend time on my own or mix with the other residents.

“The support you receive while you are here also makes a big difference. I am currently receiving help in areas such as financial management so it will prepare me for a future move into independent living.”

The service provides supported housing for 16 to 25-year-olds who have been left homeless for various reasons, including a family breakdown.

It offers tenancy-related support for up to two years with the aim of helping young people to acquire the necessary skills to move onto independent living.

Stephen O’Brien, Broadacres’ scheme manager in young persons’ services, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new building and everyone is settling in really well to their new surroundings.

“Unfortunately, for many reasons, young people find themselves without a roof over their head so schemes like this can play an important part in helping to transform lives for the better.

“One of our residents is about to go to university and Cassia, for example, is planning an Open University course, so by offering a safe and comfortable home, and through providing support in areas such as training, employment and personal development, we can make a real difference.”

The cost of the new scheme is £1.4m, of which £572,000 came via grant funding from the Homes and Community Agency, the national housing and regeneration agency for England.