£100million of property is being made available to homeless people in Castle Point.

Castle Point Council and Glaredawn Housing, of Furtherwick Road, Canvey, have signed an agreement to link up for the plan.

Shake on it - Glyn Craig, of Glaredawn, and Richard Chew, of the council Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Glaredawn, a private housing company, will buy and refurbish houses and flats to lease to the council, which will sublet them to homeless people stranded in expensive bed and breakfast accommodation.

Already 14 families, many of whom were forced to live temporarily in the Palace Hotel, Southend, have been housed through the scheme.

Richard Chew, the council's assistant director of housing, said: "It's a very exciting partnership." Glaredawn managing director Glyn Craig contacted the council after reading of a shortage of private landlords.

Mr Craig's company clinched financial backing to buy 1,000 properties, starting with £45million, and with the potential to increase by another £60million.

Published Tuesday, May 20, 2003

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