TUCKED away in a quiet residential street in Kearsley is Darren Court — a supported living facility for six people with severe learning difficulties.

The scheme offers residents the 24-hour support that they need but also allows them to live independently in their own flats and socialise with others in a friendly environment.

Now bosses at St Vincent’s Housing Association — which runs Darren Court — are fearful for the future of this scheme and for the future of its residents.

In his Autumn Statement last year, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the rate of housing benefit in the social sector would be capped at the same rate as is paid to people in the private-rented sector, a move which he said will save £225 million by 2020-21.

The news provoked a strong response from housing associations and charities who believe that if supported housing schemes like Darren Court are not exempt from the cap — it could lead to closures of such schemes across the country.

Darren Court was launched in 2004 and current resident Clifford Jones, aged 56, has lived at the site since the very first day.

Clifford has learning difficulties but has made great strides in his time at Darren Court and now volunteers with a number of groups in the local community.

An avid Manchester United fan, Clifford said: “It is fantastic living here, it is very comfy and the staff help me a lot.

“I do a lot of volunteering, like at the local church — which I find very interesting.”

He adds: “I have been here since the very start and have had a great experience.”

Clifford’s neighbour Robert Booth, aged 46, is another long-term resident with severe learning difficulties — he moved in eight years ago.

His flat is nicely decorated, with a comfortable leather chair and a big television in the living room.

He also has a large bedroom and a kitchen area where he can prepare food.

One of his favourite toys is his music system which he uses to play his favourite tunes.

He said: “I really like my flat, it is nice and comfortable and I feel very safe when I am here.

“I can keep myself to myself when I want but I also like talking with the other residents in the common room.”

The common room is another important aspect of Darren Court as it allows the residents and staff to sit together, socialise and enjoy important interaction.

Charlie Norman is the chief executive of St Vincent’s and she believes the success of the scheme lies in the combination of the independence it offers to residents along with the 24-hour support available.

She said: “They get all the support that they need but can live independently and this has led to several residents getting voluntary work in the community, which is fantastic.

“This is a gorgeous place to live with really friendly and qualified support staff on site and good opportunities for the residents.”

Charlie believes that the Chancellor’s proposals — including the housing benefit cap as well as a planned one per cent rent reduction — represent a “serious threat” to schemes like Darren Court and its residents like Clifford and Robert.

She said: “The current proposal is that the Local Housing Association rate is paid across general needs schemes and supported housing schemes like this one, regardless of the fact that you need loads more support.

“This is a purpose built facility with lots of different elements. It’s a 24 hour support scheme and under the proposals there is no differential between that and a general needs scheme and the argument we are making is you need to separate supported housing and sheltered housing out and charge what you need to make it work.

“There is no profit being made, in fact St Vincent’s has cross-subsidised a lot of what we do because this is about our ethos and we believe in schemes like this.”

She added: “The fact is that we will struggle to run this scheme with that local housing allowance cap, it is going to make it very difficult.”

Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud is expected to make a further announcement on the issue in the Spring and the Government has said it is working on the details of the policy, adding: "From the outset we have been clear that vulnerable people will be supported through our welfare reforms.”

Despite such claims, it remains a worrying time for everyone at Darren Court.

Charlie adds: “It’s a very nervous time for us all because we are genuinely concerned about the residents, we know that this scheme works for them.”