A FORMER unemployed man who helped build six bungalows in Blaenavon was given the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open them.

The new homes are the product of a joint project by housing firm Bron Afon, Torfaen Council and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB).

The project aims to make it easier for people with additional needs to live comfortably in their own homes.

Bron Afon will be the landlord and will collect rent and carry out repairs while ABUHB will provide support 24-hours a day.

Luke Caston, 27, from Pontypool, cut the ribbon and was helped by Bron Afon’s training academy before securing work with building contractors.

Chief executive of Bron Afon, Alan Brunt, said: “These high-quality homes are going to make a huge difference to the lives of the new residents. P & P Builders, who are based in Blaenavon, built the homes and this has given the local economy a boost.

“This has meant we were able to offer a Torfaen resident, 27-year-old Luke Caston a job on the site through our training academy.

“We have just found out he has been offered a full-time job with the company because of the standard of his work which was great to hear. It shows how investment in housing brings in so many extra benefits.”

The £470,000 scheme was funded by Welsh Government while the development was coordinated and put together by the ‘In One Place’ programme team in Gwent.

This is a ABUHB-funded collaboration network, bringing together health, social care and housing.

Torfaen council’s executive member for communities, housing and anti-poverty, councillor David Daniels, said: “Providing quality homes for Torfaen residents requiring extra support to live independently is a key priority for the council.

“I’m delighted to see these homes completed and the project is a first class example of what can be delivered when the council works collaboratively with trusted partners such as Bron Afon and the In One Place team.”

Vice-chair of ABUHB, Phil Robson, added: “We are very proud to be involved in this development, which we believe will improve the lives of its residents.

“It is important that these residents are able to continue to receive the majority of their care locally and these new bungalows will help us to better care for people with additional needs.”

Bron Afon offers a range of training and work experience through several partners.

To find out more, call 01633 620 111 or visit www.bronafon.org.uk