An innovative new scheme to provide affordable homes for people at risk of homelessness can move to the next stage.
Newport City Council is leasing part of Hill Street car park to Linc Cymru for a supported housing project.
Twelve self-contained flats will provide “move-on” accommodation, for people who have been in temporary accommodation, in a location close to essential services.
Linc Cymru will manage the tenancies and support given to residents to enable them to have a more stable and secure life. The aim would be to help them obtain longer-term accommodation where they could live independently.
Consultation with neighbours has begun ahead of the submission of a full planning application.
Work will initially progress using permitted development rights introduced to enable the provision of emergency accommodation for a range of purposes, including homelessness. This permitted development is for a period up to 12 months and if planning permission is not granted, the development will have to be removed.
All the car park will be closed when work begins but some of it will then be returned to use as a car park.
Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “Even before the pandemic, our aim was to help people off the streets and into accommodation. Coronavirus made this even more imperative and gave everyone a greater focus, including many of those living rough who began engaging with services for the first time.
“It has not been easy as some people have complex problems and, sadly, there are still a minority who refuse help for a various reasons but our housing team and our partners continue to try and work with them.
“Finding appropriate accommodation has been our greatest challenge and a number of solutions were found, including the temporary housing units at Mission Court. As well as providing shelter, the provision of support has proved crucial and for many people it has been life-transforming.
“The next phase of dealing with this issue is crucial as we want to help people who are now in temporary accommodation to find more permanent homes. Linc Cymru’s scheme will provide self-contained flats for up to 12 people who will have access to targeted support until they are ready to live independently.”
