Funding helps charity provide affordable housing

A charity’s funding boost will see more affordable accommodation created.

Durham Action on Single Housing (Dash) has received £175,000 from Durham County Council to convert part of its Gilesgate office into self-contained flats.

Having become a Registered Provider of Social Housing in March this year, DASH is now providing affordable homes for local people to rent.

It has provided accommodation and support for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness for a number of years.

The council money is from its Commuted Sums Fund, which it receives from housing developers to support communities.

The funding will see the charity convert the first floor and part of the ground floor of its offices, on the ground floor of Hudson House in Gilesgate, into four, one-bedroom self-contained flats that will be let at affordable rent.

Working together with the local authority’s housing solutions team, suitable local residents will be referred.

The flats are expected to be available from spring next year.

Cllr Kevin Shaw, cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: “We are delighted to further develop our working relationship with Dash. This will provide access for a greater number of our most vulnerable people into affordable accommodation.

“We know the part funding will help to address housing needs within local communities and by working together with our partners, we can continue to ensure that the services offered can be best delivered.”