£9.4m plan to house the homeless in city
Ex-student halls to be converted
A COUNCIL is set to spend £9.4m on three former student halls to house the city’s homeless.
Further details of plans to purchase disused university accommodation in Portsmouth have now been released — with approval of the cash needed expected next week.
As reported Portsmouth City Council set its sights on permanently obtaining The Registry block in St Michael's Road and Kingsway House and the Elm Grove Library, both in Elm Grove, as part of its three-year plan to keep people off the streets.
The Registry and Elm Grove Library are already being used by the council to house rough sleepers who were living in hotels during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic under the instruction of the government's Everyone In scheme.
In a report by housing officers, to be considered during a council meeting next week, it said: ‘The experience of bringing “everybody in” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has given an opportunity to change the services available to rough sleepers.
‘The demand for places for the city’s homeless and rough sleepers to sleep and receive support increased due to the pandemic.
‘However. there is evidence to show this will not decrease and a desire to eradicate homelessness and rough sleepers is a priority for the city.’
The report added: ‘By offering accommodation which can be accessed 24/7 and support, the chances of individuals taking the steps to a more stable lifestyle and sustainable accommodation will be increased.
‘The pathway will provide and equip them with the best possible skills in order to sustain settled accommodation.
‘This includes support around addiction behaviours, financial management and living skills. Encouragement is also offered around education, employment and training.’
It is planned the council will use £2.1m from a grant awarded by government last year and a further £7.3m from borrowing to pay for and refurbish the three buildings, which contain 110 rooms between them.
Approval of this cash will be considered at a public housing meeting on Monday, January 27.
And planning applications to convert The Registry and Kingsway House will be debated at a meeting the following day.