‘HOUSING for people who desperately need it’ is being provided at renovated flats in Coventry.
A partnership between Coventry City Council, GreenSquareAccord and the P3 Group has provided safe, stable housing and support at Ribbon Court in Foleshill for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
GreenSquareAccord and P3 Housing converted the former ‘extra care’ scheme into 50 flats after it had been under-occupied for long periods.
Having re-opened in September as a ‘supported exempt accommodation service’, 47 of the 50 units are now occupied, housing 57 adults and 74 children.
Support workers from P3 Charity have been commissioned by Coventry City Council and are located onsite, providing 24-hour support.
As well as benefiting from recently refurbished one and two-bedroom flats, residents have access to a range of other on-site services, such as family support and wellbeing services and activities that offer opportunities to build connections and community.
As part of their tenancy, all occupants sign a licence agreement with strict conditions for occupancy, parking use and visitor policies. Breaches of these agreements may lead to termination of licence.
Coun Naeem Akhtar, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I visited the flats and was really impressed. They provide a good standard of housing for people who desperately need it. The Council’s homelessness service receives around 120 enquiries a week and this scheme provides a positive solution for families.”
Foleshill Councillor Shakila Nazir added: “Where possible, it is an option for families who are homeless from the Foleshill area to stay in the area, which means that many of those moving in already access local services. It is a good step.”
Benjamin Taylor, Director of Homes and Communities at GreenSquareAccord, said: “Councils are on the front line of the housing crisis with homelessness rising in many places. We are proud to convert our former extra care facility into managed supported exempt accommodation block for homeless households in Coventry.”
Hannah Kavanagh, Managing Director of P3 Housing, said: “Through this partnership we’re able to provide good quality, safe accommodation to families from across the city while helping them to move on to more stable, long-term homes.
“Each family has the privacy and dignity of their own space, with on-site staffing on hand when they need advice, guidance or just someone to talk to after a difficult day.
“Feedback from tenants so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s heartwarming to see and hear the smiles and laughter from the children making the most of the play area in the communal lounge.
“There’s a real sense of community that provides a vital network to families who might otherwise feel isolated, and we look forward to developing the service with support from local community groups to bring in services that will support people on their journey.”
