A former police station in Swansea has been transformed into much needed temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
The newly renovated property has now been transformed into 68 individual rooms across a number of floors and also includes shared kitchen areas, en-suite bathrooms and communal areas, as well as around the clock support for residents faced with homelessness, some of which have ongoing health issues or have recently been released from prison.
Swansea Council has been working in partnership with social housing landlord – Codi (formerly known as Pobl), to convert the former Swansea Central Police Station – a grade II listed building in the city centre, into safe and secure, temporary supported accommodation.
A shortage of temporary and emergency accommodation in Swansea in recent years has prompted the council to use bed and breakfast providers to plug the gap.
Codi has owned the building since 2003 – now known as Llys Glas and was offering it as student accommodation until recently.
Grant funding from the Welsh Government has enabled the new homelessness project to be completed.
It’s hoped the plans will help reduce the council’s reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation – something that has increased since the covid pandemic in 2020 and has been exacerbated by high numbers of households facing homelessness due to the cost-of-living crisis and a shortage of affordable housing across the city.
Andrea Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, recently visited Llys Glas, to see for herself the transformation that has taken place. Cllr Williams, said: “I’m very impressed with the renovation and the hard work everyone has done to get us to this stage. I also want to thank Welsh Government for providing funding for this development. Without them, this would not have been possible.
“We have a growing number of residents in Swansea who are very much in need of this type of temporary accommodation, where they can get the support they need, along with the reassurance of a safe place to live.
“This will be where many of the tenants can work towards getting themselves in a better and more positive place, preparing for a move into more permanent accommodation and improving their lives.
“The latest statistics for homelessness in Swansea show it is increasing year on year.
Andrew Vye, Executive Director – Customer and Community, Codi, said: “We have an excellent relationship with Swansea Council, working closely in partnership on key projects right across the city, and are pleased to be able to assist their efforts to the supply of homes for homeless people.
“Housing is at the heart of everything. The security a suitable environment provides can allow those who have experienced homelessness to get back on their feet.
“Homelessness continues to be a challenge across Wales and can impact anyone. We are committed to working in partnership with local authorities to offer solutions.”
