A new housing scheme targeting those from vulnerable sections of the community has been launched, it has been revealed.

The Move On initiative has been rolled out by housing charity Norcare and will see the organisation purchase up to ten properties across the north-east each year which it will then lease to those consumers who are already using its services.

In addition, the charity will provide support to other housing providers struggling to find accommodation for vulnerable people.

Susan Bickerton, chief executive of Norcare, reported that the availability of social housing has diminished as an increasing number of landlords look to rent their properties "to tenants who they consider to be less of a risk".

"This has created a black hole for people in need of supported housing and we have moved to fill that void," she stated.

Worth a total more than £3 million, the scheme was opened by housing minister Caroline Flint.

Such news could be of interest to those with housing jobs.

Earlier this week the National House Building Council revealed that applications to build social housing developments between June and August were up by eight per cent compared to the same period in 2007.

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