Disused property to house homeless veterans under new project in Hartlepool - here's how you can help get it ready

Community interest company Positive Helpful Outcomes North East has been established by former servicemen and women and volunteers to support veterans and homeless people across the region.

For the initiative called Brick by Brick, they have been provided with a two-bedroom house in Hartlepool that will provide a home to those in need for between two and three years.

A wide range of wrap around support will also be provided from a host of local partner agencies.

Project leaders have launched a crowd funding appeal to help with renovation of the house in West View Road which is already underway.

One of the project directors Jaime Horton, who served in the Army, said: “We’re in the process of renovating the house to utilise for veterans and their families and also street homeless people.

"It has been empty for six or seven years and was getting continually ransacked. The owner just lost heart in it but has very kindly offered it to us for the project.

"I have rehomed 22 homeless people since February last year so it is very much needed.”

Among the people Jaime has helped include a veteran who had ended up sleeping on a Hartlepool beach in freezing conditions last year.

And in January 2021 she helped arrange emergency accommodation for another man who had been sleeping rough after he came to the attention of local doctor Paul Williams.

The intention is to provide a home for service veterans and their family for up to three years, and street homeless people two years, while they find permanent accommodation.

Positive Helpful Outcomes will also work with organisations such as Mind, SAFFA, the British Legion and more for support with finances, health and wellbeing.

Jaime said the house was a shell and it needs a new kitchen, bathroom, central heating system and replastering.

Work on the electrics has begun, while a new roof has been put on and asbestos removed from the property.

Any tradespeople who can lend a hand are urged to contact Jaime on 07931 242950 or email [email protected]

Donations can also be made at the Brick by Brick project page at www.gofundme.com

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