A FORMER alcoholic and drug addict said he fears for his future after learning that his recovery accommodation could close down.

Lance Barratt, from St John's, Worcester, has lived in an Emerging Futures property for 12 months, but has now been told it could close.

The abstinence-based houses help people to overcome addiction with behaviour change programmes and eventually help people find their own housing.

But despite turning his life around, Mr Barratt - along with other residents - is now concerned for his immediate future.

He has been told Emerging Futures is set to kick out the residents - with the Community Interest Company (CIC) admitting there is uncertainty around the future of the housing.

Mr Barratt, who is almost two years clean, said he and others have been left in the dark about the situation claiming the news was like a "bombshell had gone off".

"We've been told that they are pulling the plug on housing but we don't know what's going on," he said.

"Last week we heard that we would be kicked out. Nothing has been set in stone but support workers told us this is what was happening.

"It's like a bombshell has gone off.

"I am on a list for housing but don't know if I will have a place to live.

"I have suffered from a multitude of health problems and my anxiety is all over the place at the moment."

Mr Barratt said residents were all gutted about the situation and were waiting for management to "clarify what is going to happen".

"They are well funded so I don't understand," he added.

"It affects about ten of us. It's like someone has pulled the rug from underneath our feet, everyone is at a loss.

"I don't know if I could end up on the street and the majority of us are not local."

Will Emerging Futures close its housing in Worcester?

A spokesperson from Emerging Futures said: “We acknowledge the uncertainty around our recovery housing provision in Worcester, and at Emerging Futures CIC we regularly review the affordability and quality of our housing offer for vulnerable people.

"In situations where we decommission houses, we will always seek move on accommodation for those in our care, either within our portfolio of houses or from our partner networks, to ensure that the needs of our residents are met. 

"Once Emerging Futures CIC is confident that all possible avenues to keep a project from being decommissioned have been explored, we will always communicate with those living in our houses.

"The wellbeing of our residents is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring no one is discharged without alternative accommodation.”

Worcester News has asked Emerging Futures to clarify if alternative accommodation would be provided by themselves or another party but has had no response. 

A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: "We would like to clarify that although Worcestershire County Council provides funding to emerging futures for other projects, this funding is not linked to wider Emerging Futures service provision, including their housing offer for vulnerable people."