Work has been completed on a new Swansea Council housing scheme.
It combines the refurbishment of a former education centre as permanent homes and the neighbouring installation of residential pods for people who need temporary accommodation.
The whole scheme, in Uplands, was commissioned as a rapid response to the housing shortfall at the start of the pandemic.
Conversion of the main house into four one-bedroom flats was completed in December and has brought an empty building near the city centre back into use.
The pods – which are fully furnished self-contained units – will soon be offered on a short-term basis to help those who need temporary accommodation.
Finishing touches are now being made to the four one-bedroom pods. They’ll be available for letting shortly.
The pods – built off-site and delivered to the council’s building services team – have been put up in the grounds of the former Bryn House community education centre.
The energy-efficient pods will operate to eco-conscious Passivhaus standards and will be used to accommodate up to six people. The development has a designated space to offer on-site support.
Council joint deputy leader Andrea Lewis said: “We’ve been able to deliver this scheme with the help of Welsh Government funding. This is an example of an innovative approach bringing an empty building back to use for housing, alongside the use of modern construction methods of factory-built homes.
“The pods will be a safe, secure and affordable option for those who need it until more permanent accommodation is secured. The council and partner organisations will offer compassionate and timely support throughout the year.”
Since the pandemic began more than 800 households who have sought assistance from the council have been helped to move from temporary accommodation to more suitable accommodation.
The council has pledged that, although considerable and complex challenges remain, every rough sleeper in Swansea is offered a bed if they want one. This long-standing promise is being repeated to vulnerable people living in the city.
