ANOTHER four young people in West Oxfordshire will be given a potentially ‘life-changing’ opportunity in the New Year.

A new home will become available for under-35s as part of a community housing project.

The four-bedroom house in Witney will be the third property to become part of the ‘Our House’ project as it continues to go from strength to strength.

Run by Cottsway Housing – which is based in Witney – in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council, the project supports single under-35s who are in housing and employment need.

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They join Our House as ‘trainees’, living in the house together and being provided with support to get back into employment, education or training.

The project started in August last year and already has two successful shared houses in Witney supporting seven trainees.

The initiative has been funded with support from the government’s Community Housing Fund.

Up until March 31, the government is making £163m available across England through the Community Housing Fund.

Sam Stronach, Cottsway’s Our House project co-ordinator, said: “If it wasn’t for this project, the trainees wouldn’t be able to afford to live in the local area.

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“But this is about much more than just putting a roof over their heads, it’s about giving them support and offering them the potential to change their lives.

“It’s very exciting that we are able to offer this chance to new trainees and I’d like to encourage anyone that’s interested in finding out more to get in touch.”

Ross Huxford, one of the current 'trainees', said: “Since I have started with the Our House project I have grown up a lot and taken responsibility for managing my money more sensibly.

“I have enjoyed living independently and look forward to the future with support in finding a career.”

Khloe Bennett, who has been with the project for 18 months, added: “The project has given me a roof over my head and employment in the local area.

“I look forward to working towards coming off of benefits and a place of my own.”

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Councillor Steve Good, cabinet member for Communities and Housing at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “I have been involved in this innovative scheme for some time and it has been a great success.

“It helps those in need live independently and have a meaningful future.

“It really does change lives.”

Cottsway Housing was formed in 2001 and describes itself as the ‘largest housing association and provider of social housing within West Oxfordshire', managing a total of about 4,500 homes.

It also has properties in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.

Over the next five years, the group aim to build another 750 new homes, and as a not-for-profit housing association, it’s entire income comes from rents.

To find out more and download an application form, see cottsway.co.uk/our-house or alternatively, email communities@cottsway.co.uk