A PIONEERING Bolton scheme to tackle homelessness is still waiting for a final funding boost.

The Bolton Bond Board needs to secure £14,000 in cash from charitable trusts.

The board provides deposits or bonds for homeless people to put down on accommodation.

As already reported, the board has recently been awarded £40,000 from the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions.

And Bolton Council's housing department has also pledged £25,000. But extra cash is also needed to complete its funding jigsaw for the next 12 months.

Rebecca Slack, the project co-ordinator, said she was "optimistic" that the shortfall could be met, adding: "We are quite confident that the funding will be available."

The Bolton Bond Board also had a funding bid approved for £183,323 from the Government. But this cash will go towards funding a regional development workers and officers running similar schemes in Rochdale, Oldham and Bury.

Rebecca said: "Bolton will not be receiving this money directly although it will indirectly benefit from the regional development worker.

"The scheme needs to find £14,000 before April but we are optimistic about pending outcomes from various bids to trusts."

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