Cardiff unveils plans to buy 280 homes for its homeless

Cardiff unveils plans to buy 280 homes for its homeless

0:06 AM, 26th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago 5

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In a bid to alleviate its severe housing shortage and deal with growing numbers needing homelessness support, one council has announced it will buy flats and a hotel.

The move by Cardiff City Council comes as its temporary accommodation is at capacity.

The three properties – a student accommodation block of 103 apartments, a hotel with 150 units and a 20-bed House of Multiple Occupation – will deliver 280 units of accommodation.

This is in addition to the 250 new homes approved by the council in May, of which 33 are expected to be ready by March next year.

Not enough to meet the pressures

The council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, Councillor Lynda Thorne, said: “The plans we announced earlier this year to increase the range and sufficiency of accommodation in the city are moving along well, but these alone will not be enough to meet the pressures we’re experiencing now, and what’s ahead over the coming year.

“Fresh challenges are emerging all the time, so it’s vital that we are constantly looking for new options to boost the availability of affordable housing.”

The council has also revealed that it is also making progress on the construction of 120 highly energy-efficient modular homes on a vacant plot in Cardiff Bay.

Temporary and emergency accommodation is full

A council report reveals the extent of the city’s housing emergency with temporary and emergency accommodation now full.

There are currently 563 families currently living in temporary accommodation and 183 in hotels.

Accommodation for single people is also operating at capacity with 780 individuals in temporary and emergency accommodation – and another 153 individuals in hotels.

It says that it is taking steps to address the homelessness crisis through policy changes, such as making accommodation offers outside of Cardiff where appropriate.

The council is also offering homeless applicants permanent housing wherever suitable housing becomes available in the city.

Homelessness demand is challenging

Councillor Thorne said: “Current homelessness demand remains extremely challenging.

“We had hoped to reduce the number of hotels we’ve been using as temporary accommodation but that hasn’t been possible unfortunately and we remain, still very much in the midst of this emergency.

“We’re building new council homes right across the city so there is a better supply of affordable homes but it’s just not quick enough to meet the exceptional demands we’re experiencing right now.”

She added: “We urgently need more accommodation so we’re doing everything we possibly can to help those who need our housing support.”


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Reluctant Landlord

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9:20 AM, 26th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago

excellent news for LL's in Wales that want to sell up?

Seems like it is slowly dawning that this housing crisis is not down to the PRS to resolve AND it is going to only get worse...so they have no choice than to look to acquiring accommodation of their own to utilise.

havens havens

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11:54 AM, 26th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago

the ongoing demand for temporary accommodation highlights just how critical the situation is. I hope they continue to find innovative ways to support those in need

Paul Essex

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14:47 PM, 26th September 2024, About A week ago

Figures suggest that 15% of Cardiff's population were born outside the UK but apparently this has no impact on the housing shortage.

Jim K

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15:10 PM, 26th September 2024, About A week ago

Slightly different angle.
Is it 'a hotel' or 'an hotel' the council has bought?

moneymanager

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17:52 PM, 26th September 2024, About A week ago

"it's homeless"

A few years ago, the apparent scandal du jour was the apocryphal immigrant coming by plane tongive birth to sextuplets', on the taxpayer if course, the NHS refused toneven attempt even post treatment payment,quite unlike my family's experience in Italy where it was either insurance upfront or cash on discharge; basically we're being taken for mugs and it is breaking both society and the bank.

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