PEOPLE with special needs are to be given top priority by Blackburn and Darwen housing chiefs over the next 12 months.

Town hall bosses are drawing up a document to shape housing strategies and policies for the next year and residents, tenants' groups and community organisations will be asked for their views. Local businesses, social services heads and the health trust will also be consulted.

The final document will be used to bid for extra Government cash at the end of the summer.

Most towns and cities across the country have serious housing problems but Blackburn and Darwen's troubles are centred around poor quality properties.

This, coupled with a lack of demand for areas like Roman Road means a constant problem of high numbers of properties standing empty. The report also reveals shortages of suitable homes for certain sections of the community.

Housing bosses say recent research shows the needs of Asian people are not being met by the market.

And residents with special needs also lose out in Blackburn and Darwen because of the lack of facilities.

The situation is made even worse because there is a higher percentage of Asian people with special needs.

A series of measures are being planned designed to improve living conditions for special needs people. They include:

Working in partnership with housing associations to improve sheltered housing for the 'frail elderly'.

Revising housing allocation policies so people will get extra points for social needs.

Adapting homes to the needs of people with physical disabilities.

Extra support for people learning difficulties, drug and alcohol problems or those with a mental illness.

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