A HOUSING project in Torfaen that supports young people aged between 16 and 24 to live independently won gold at the Welsh Housing Awards last week.

Bron Afon’s ‘Own 2 Feet…Living’ was shortlisted in the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Empowering and Involving Communities category.

Suzy Sorby, the youth engagement and support officer, said: “We were stunned to win. Ty Cyfle is eight one-bed starter homes in Garndiffaith.

“The building is our base for ‘Own 2 Feet…Living’ where we run sessions to get young people ready for work and to manage their own home.

“We use the community room on the ground floor for training for residents in Ty Cyfle and the local community.

“It was set up as so many young people were coming to rent homes but quickly failing in their tenancies as they were not ready. Our project fills that gap.

“Young people have been involved since day one and some of them even had work placements to actually turn a derelict building into Ty Cyfle.

“We used our youth-led Own 2 Feet project which looks at subjects such as how to be a good neighbour and cooking on a budget to support them in Ty Cyfle.

“The residents in Ty Cyfle that have moved on to live independently are doing so successfully. It’s run on co-operative principles by a management committee made up by the residents and Afon Youth, our youth forum.”