A SHARED housing project in the Vale of Glamorgan has received an award for its work in helping homeless people access proper accommodation.

Rooms4U, which is hosted by Newydd Housing Association and the Vale of Glamorgan Council and funded by national homelessness charity Crisis UK, was presented with the Pat Chown award for housing innovation earlier this month.

The project is a two year pilot that aims to help young people aged under 35 find solutions to homelessness through shared housing. The aim is to unite young people to support each other within a home they can call their own.

Launched 17 years ago by Community Housing Cymru, the award was created in memory of Pat Chown, who dedicated her life to helping others.

Rooms4U received the award and a £1,000 prize at the One Big Conference on Thursday, October 5, at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells.

Hazel Davies, Rooms4U Project Officer, said: “I am over the moon that Rooms4U has won the prestigious Pat Chown Award.

"When a young tenant tells you that he used to drink daily, was depressed and even thought about taking his own life, but now feels great as he has a stable home with like-minded people where he is warm, eating well and has even started job hunting, this certainly gives you goosebumps.

“I am excited to see how the project will develop over the coming months as we aim to also work with the private rented sector. The £1,000 prize will go towards the Vale Foodbank in Barry to help people should they find themselves in financial difficulty.”