More housing for people who are homeless in Chelmsford

Work has just been completed on a housing scheme to provide more supported accommodation in Chelmsford in a further move to reduce homelessness in the city. 

A two-storey extension has now been created at an existing housing complex. It will provide six additional bedrooms with brand-new bathrooms, kitchens and utility areas for single homeless people, including those who have been sleeping rough in Chelmsford.

The original part of the building has been refurbished too, with ensuite showers added to original bedrooms. This means a total of twelve people can now be housed at the property at any one time, with everything they need on site.

Housing with support for homeless people

Chelmsford City Council was successful in a bid to Homes England for over £200,000 towards the cost of building the extension and running the accommodation, which will be managed by CHESS Homeless. It’s another step in fulfilling Chelmsford City Council’s commitments to increase housing with support for homeless people. 

The City Council is working with partner agencies to make sure that everyone eligible is offered a place to stay. With new cases all the time, there is a constant need for this type of accommodation.

There are now nearly 400 households in temporary accommodation. Around 140 are single people, and this new accommodation will help some of those to benefit from a home with support within the centre of Chelmsford.

Council action on housing crisis

Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council says the city continues to face an evolving and complex housing crisis and more temporary accommodation is essential. 

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“A key cause of homelessness is simply not enough homes (of all types) being built, but especially genuinely affordable homes. There is a huge additional challenge right now with private rented sector landlords selling up. This means that essential housing supply is going down, leaving more people with nowhere to go and the council with fewer options to help.

The City Council’s housing strategy focuses on improving the supply of affordable and specialist accommodation in Chelmsford and we have established an Affordable Housing Working Group to consider long-term housing needs. But as well as developing tomorrow’s vision, we also need to deal with today’s realities. This additional housing will ensure that people who fall on hard times will have a roof over their heads while permanent accommodation is found.”

Cllr Stephen Robinson, Leader, Chelmsford City Council

You can read about the council’s work to ensure that the needs of those made homeless are met in the Chelmsford City Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020 – 2024. 

If you are homeless or worried that you might become homeless, please contact the City Council as soon as you can at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/housing or on 01245 606400. 

If you are concerned that someone may be sleeping rough in the city, please make a referral by using StreetLink www.streetlink.org.uk