An innovative housing scheme to protect LGBT people has been approved.

Developers are investing £1.4m to house LGBT people who have faced persecution and hardship in Salford, Greater Manchester. The new building will create 14 apartments of either two or four bedrooms to act as a safe haven for LGBT people in the borough.

The project is being created by ForViva, a social organisation which is funding the site, along with the Homes and Communities Agency. Colette McKune, group deputy chief executive at ForViva, said: “We all have the right to be able to access a secure home and feel safe in their community.

“It has become clear that some LGBT people in Salford were facing incredibly tough choices on where to live, or even homelessness because their circumstances had left them with nowhere to turn for alternative housing.

Developers have worked closely with Salford City Council and the LGBT Foundation on the project. Paul Martin, chief executive of the Manchester LGBT Foundation, said: “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people can still face considerable discrimination within social housing services which can result in feelings of exclusion and isolation.

“I welcome today’s announcement about this ground-breaking scheme which recognises that LGBT people are an integral part of society and make a tremendous contribution to the identity of modern Salford. Read more via PinkNews