A SCHEME has been launched to provide furnished flats for single homeless people.

Under the furnished tenancies scheme tenants will rent the furniture from the council as well as the property.

Included in the furniture package are carpets, curtains, electric cooker, fridge, a two seater settee, double bed, wardrobe, chest, dining table and two chairs.

Ian, one of the first people to move into a furnished flat, says: "Having some basic furniture makes all the difference. When you're homeless and single, it's unlikely that you have any furniture of your own, so being able to get a flat which already has some furniture is like winning the lottery."

The initiative is concentrated in the Old Trafford area and there will soon be 20 properties available to let.

Cllr Bernice Garlick, cabinet member for housing and environmental services, says: "It's very hard to start out in your first flat and this is a great way of helping young people get a settled start. I hope Ian will be very happy in his flat - and I'm very envious of his settee."

Housing chiefs hope to extend the scheme to include couples and families, and to cover other parts of the borough.

Anyone who would like more information about the furnished tenancies scheme should call 912 2751.

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