West Northamptonshire Council - investment in relocatable temporary accommodation
"This proposal allows us to create temporary accommodation which is better suited to people’s needs and saves taxpayers money. Nobody ever wants to find themselves and their family homeless, and if they do, they want the reassurance that someone can help solve the immediate worry of needing a roof over their head. These new units will create two small communities as the starting point for getting people back on their feet. They will have integrated local amenities, though the units can be moved elsewhere at any time, should the need arise." Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing.
This initiative will provide families with safe, stable housing, reducing reliance on less suitable and more expensive B&B type accommodation while delivering long-term, cost-effective solutions for councils and their communities.
The first site, consisting of 38 two bed flats, will open in October 2026, followed by a larger community of made up of 56 two bed and 14 one bed flats, due to be completed by the end of the year. Both sites will include a community hub, children’s play area, management office and laundry, and will utilise built in solar panels and on-site battery storage to make up grid power shortfall and resulting in an EPC A.
The project will also incorporate housing management and support services to ensure residents receive the necessary support during their stay, ensuring successful transitions to permanent homes.
The contract for this project was awarded through an established framework agreement, providing a compliant route to market. This ensured all procurement processes met the required regulations and simplifies the delivery of the solution. This approach offers a practical, flexible solution to homelessness, providing residents with a stable foundation while supporting their transition into permanent housing, and by implementing relocatable accommodation, the council is addressing both immediate housing needs and investing in long-term solutions.