A HOUSING association has started work on a state of the art £2.3 million project to provide specialist homes for people with complex needs.

Working with its partners, Broadacres is building seven two-bedroom bungalows in Brough St Giles, near Catterick.

Six will be let to people with special needs, including autism and learning disabilities, with the other being used by the staff working there. The staff of Stokesley-based Positive Individual Proactive Support will provide 24-hour-a-day support to the residents.

The ECHO (Enhanced Housing & Care Offer) project is being supported by NHS England, which is providing £1.89 million towards it.

The district and county councils are also supporting the project, along with the North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

The sustainable homes have been designed and constructed with materials and technology which allows them to use very little energy, meaning a very low running cost to the resident.

The bespoke design means it has been possible to ‘design out’ the possible triggers for people with autism.

For example, maintenance of services can be undertaken externally reducing the requirement for access into the home and because of the increased insulation, it reduces noises within the home from the external environment.

Gail Teasdale, Broadacres’ chief executive, said: “The ECHO scheme compliments the national service model of Building the Right Support, which is all about improving health and care services so that more people with learning disabilities and/or autism can live in the community, with the right support, and close to family and friends.

"This means that fewer people will need to stay in hospital for their care."

Leader of Richmondshire District Council, Councillor Angie Dale said: “We are delighted to see work starting on this project which will be a valuable asset for the residents of Richmondshire – allowing people with learning disabilities or autism to remain living in the community near their family support network.”

The start of work on the ECHO scheme coincides with Learning Disability Week, which runs until Sunday.