New tenancy for Causeway Association

The Housing Department has strengthened its relationship with the Causeway Association by providing a new secure tenancy for the charity’s building.

 

Causeway has occupied the property since 1997 on an open-ended but unsecured basis with the public retaining limited responsibility for maintaining the building.

 

A new nine year lease has been established which will give Causeway greater security of tenure and will enable the property to be brought up to, and maintained in line with, the Decent Homes Standard. This will ensure that it can maximise the potential use of the building to support those in need.

 

 

Housing Minister Deputy Andrew Green said “It is important for us to enable this charity, which receives no direct grant funding from the States, to continue to provide their services, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to do this under the new secure leasing arrangement. It is equally important that this building is brought up to a decent standard, there are already plans to install new double glazing windows to the property, which will improve heat retention and security.”

 

Causeway provides housing and support services for young single mothers and helps clients with the life skills needed to become independent and capable parents.

 

Facilities include private rooms for mothers to live with their child, access to shared bathrooms, a large shared kitchen with cooking facilities and individual fridges and lockable cupboards for each resident. There is a large dining area, a lounge and a laundry as well as access to a shared garden with toys and activities for children.

 

 

Housing’s Director of Policy and Communication, Dominique Caunce, said “The Causeway Association’s work is invaluable to us; they provide a support function for many young mothers who are living in unsuitable accommodation. They are also preparing young mothers who may have not held a tenancy of their own before by getting them used to paying rent and budgeting for household expenses.

 

"A lot of their clients will move on to become tenants of one of the social housing providers through the Affordable Housing Gateway or find alternative accommodation in the private sector.”

 

The charity’s main source of income is the rent they receive from residents. They also rely on charitable donations and membership subscriptions. The standard annual membership subscription is £10 a year.

 

Anyone interested in subscribing or making a donation should contact the Causeway Association Manager by phoning +44 (0) 1534 615989 or by emailing Causeway Association.