HUNDREDS of new homes could be built for Bournemouth and Poole's most vulnerable residents, it has been revealed.

Some 500 properties could be built by 2022 after the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) was allocated £10 million by NatWest to build on its existing portfolio of 1,800 homes.

These will be allocated to people who would otherwise be rough sleeping.

As part of its five-year plan, BCHA has also committed to ensuring all property stock is high quality and fit-for-purpose, as well as growing the range of services it offers to address unmet needs.

Founded in 1968 by a group of Bournemouth churches to help with local housing problems epitomised by the Cathy Come Home film, BCHA has grown to become a major provider of housing, support and learning services for what they term 'socially excluded people'.

Headquartered in Bournemouth, the association’s team of 260 staff now help more than 10,000 people annually across the south, from Devizes down to Plymouth.

Martin Lucas, director of finance and corporate resources at BCHA, said: “For more than 50 years BCHA has supported vulnerable people with a range of needs to help them find stability, safety and independence.

"There is an ever-increasing demand for homes for people who would otherwise be homeless. NatWest’s support will enable us to grow our property portfolio and help meet this demand.

“BCHA is here for those in the local community and across the south who need our support and our expansion should put us in a strong position to help thousands more people and continue our Bchangemakers campaign over the next few years.”

Jim Farley, NatWest's relationship director, said: “BCHA delivers invaluable support to its service users in the south and a huge part of this is offering housing to those who need it most.

"Our specialist knowledge of the sector and ongoing support has helped the association’s short to medium-term property growth as it continues to provide secure and safe homes for people to live.”

As reported by the Daily Echo, the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of Bournemouth has doubled since last year's count.

There are currently 58 homeless people in the town, according to the latest figures. In 2018, 29 people were counted, but officials say this number was "artificially low".