Flats to get new lease of life to help city families

A BLOCK of flats in Coventry is set to undergo a transformation so it can be used for families with support needs.

Refurbishment work has started at Frank Walsh House in Hillfields ready to give those who need help the support they need.

Frank Walsh House is owned and managed by Citizen, a social housing providers, and was used as a former housing with care scheme.

Refurbishment work began on November 1, 2019, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2020.

Laker Building Management Solutions are undertaking the work and Coventry City Council have invested £280,000 to enable the conversion work to be completed.

Citizen, alongside Coventry City Council, will be providing 44 flats for families with support needs at Frank Walsh House from March 2020.

Citizen will be working with support providers to help prepare and equip the families to live independently within the city.

Chief Executive Kevin Rodgers said: “It’s very exciting that work has started to transform

Frank Walsh House. Temporary accommodation for families in Coventry is in short supply so I’m certain our new proposals for Frank Walsh House will be very well received.

“We have a clear social purpose here at Citizen, which is to provide homes that are a foundation for life.

“There are some fundamental challenges people in our communities are facing and we want to be an organisation which can help them deal with these.

“We are committed to working to solve some of the most pressing issues around housing in Coventry alongside the council.”

Councillor David Welsh,Deputy Cabinet Member Housing and Communities, at Coventry City Council, adds: “The refurbishment of Frank Walsh House will provide much needed self-contained supported accommodation for families and will help reduce overall costs for the council. The money saved can be used to support residents of the city in other ways.

“It’s great to see the work getting underway.”