WHBC awarded £243K Government funding for redevelopment of Howlands House

Howlands House provides temporary accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless.  The site is due to be redeveloped as part of WHBC’s Affordable Housing Programme and the additional £243K funding will help to bring forward the project’s delivery date.     

Constructed over 40 years ago, Howlands House ensures that families can be kept together at times of distress and disruption in their lives while their housing needs are assessed.  The existing building is in poor condition and the current design does not meet modern standards.  Redeveloping this accommodation has been an aspiration for the Council for some time, however, the viability of the scheme has been a challenge due to increasing building costs.  The additional Government funding allows the scheme to progress to the next stage and will aid the overall viability of the proposed redevelopment. The proposed new scheme will provide more modern, welcoming temporary accommodation properties for local families and individual households, a staff office, children’s play area, parking and associated landscaping.  The redeveloped site will help reduce the otherwise considerable expenditure on the use of hotels and B&Bs for emergency temporary accommodation.

Councillor Gemma Moore, WHBC Executive Member for Housing, said:

Supporting and preventing homelessness and the provision of affordable homes are priorities for the Council.  I am delighted that we have be awarded this Government funding which will enable the redevelopment of the Howlands House site to begin.  This will mean that Howlands House will be able to continue to provide security and respite for individuals and families at their time of need.

More information on the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund can be found here.