YOUNG people in work or training who can’t afford to rent privately will be able to experience independent living in an innovative new housing scheme provided by Broadacres.

Broadacres is converting the former community addiction service in Northallerton, into a five-bedroom home for young people.

The scheme has been developed in partnership with Homes England, which provided £75,000 towards the cost of the redevelopment and Hambleton District Council, which has given a grant of £25,000 to help furnish the scheme and will allocate the homes.

The aim is to provide housing for local young people who are either employed, or in training, but who would otherwise struggle to have their own property due to the high cost of private rents in the area.

The five people who will move into South Parade shortly will each have their own en-suite bedroom and will share a kitchen, dining and living room.

Andy Powell, Broadacres’ customer services director, said: “Unfortunately, just because they are in work or training, due to the high costs now associated with buying or renting a home privately, there’s no guarantee that young people can live independently of their parents or other caregivers.

“Through the scheme we have developed in partnership with Homes England and Hambleton District Council, we will be able to offer opportunities for five young people to live on their own whilst paying a rent they can afford.”

Mr Powell added: “As their personal circumstances improve and they start to earn more money, they will then be able to move on and we will be able to provide further opportunities for other young people in the area.

“Hopefully the experience they will gain from living in the house will stand them in good stead in later life.”

Broadacres Housing Association provides around 6,000 homes in North Yorkshire.