Housing, Policy and Strategy
Homelessness Strategy
Community Self Build Project
Westwood Crescent, Ayr
Eighteen young people who were either homeless or potentially homeless were offered
a training opportunity through South Ayrshire Council, in partnership with Community
Self-Build Scotland. Of these eighteen young people, nine have now completed the
project, which entailed refurbishing eight void properties in Westwood Crescent,
Ayr that required comprehensive works on them to bring them up to let-able standard.
Additional partners included Ayrshire Initiatives, Ayr College, the STEP project,
Throughcare, Quarriers and the Supporting People team.
The young people were instructed towards SVQ Level 1 & 2 qualifications in Carpentry
and Joinery at Ayr College for half the time, whilst for the other half of the project's
duration, they work on site to attain real-life trade experience.
In return the trainees receive a wage of between £149 and £169. The
initiative received backing from the European Social Fund. Further trainee support
was linked to housing issues and supplementary incentives to encourage sustainable
tenancies, including a starter pack of white goods for all of the trainees who successfully
completed the course.
The assessed cases of homelessness in 2002/03 showed that 229 young people aged
between 16 and 24 years old presented as homeless within South Ayrshire. Figures
from preceding years indicate that over half of homeless people originate from Ayr
North. This project not only increased rent-able housing stock within the Ayr North
locale but also provided the opportunity for young homeless people to develop practical
skills and obtain qualifications to enhance future job prospects. The outcomes for
these young people will be monitored. During the last week of the course (April
04) two trainees secured ongoing training opportunities. Continued attempts to secure
successful outcomes for all the young people involved in this project will be made
by the stakeholders and support workers involved in this initiative.