News / retrofit
Boarded-up shops to be turned into homes for homeless
Several empty council properties are receiving a makeover to provide temporary housing for people recovering from homelessness.
Bristol City Council have joined forces with Alec French Architects in this initiative where the latter has been appointed to convert boarded-up shops and empty office buildings the council owns into ‘stepping-stone’ homes.
This is part of the council’s Move On Accommodation Project, which aims to help individuals transition to independent living.
A number of vacant shops and office buildings in The Square in Knowle are being retrofitted into seven homes, while a further eight homes are expected to be completed on Kingsland Road, which hosted a parade of shops prior to the refurbishment.
“Bringing empty buildings back into use while helping people recover from homelessness is a win-win for Bristol,” said Barry Parsons, chair of homes and housing delivery committee – photo: Sam Marshall-Evans
All homes will feature renewable energy systems like heat pumps to boost sustainability.
The initiative is expected not only to support those in housing need but also to bring disused buildings back into use.
Barry Parsons, chair of the council’s homes and housing delivery committee said: “There is no single solution to the temporary accommodation challenge we and other councils face, but it is clear that whilst the housing crisis continues to cast a shadow over the city, we will continue to face difficulties in ensuring support is there for those who need housing.
“We cannot tackle this challenge alone, and I would like to thank our partners who are helping us provide more households with accommodation that meets their needs, reduce the use of hotel rooms and support greater financial stability in the long term.
“Bringing empty buildings back into use while helping people recover from homelessness is a win-win for Bristol. We want to make Bristol a city where rough sleeping is rare, brief, and non-recurrent, and any stay in temporary accommodation is short, safe, and secure.”
“We’re proud to be involved in this pioneering project to help people rebuild their lives and make the transition from homelessness towards independent living,” said Louis Lane, associate director at Alec French Architects – photo: Milan Perera
The Trenchard Street-based architect firm has previously delivered social housing for the council, including 57 low-carbon developments in Lawrence Weston and 31 modular homes in Fishponds.
Louis Lane, associate director at Alec French Architects, said: “These properties have been specially redesigned to provide much-needed temporary and sustainable accommodation for Bristol’s homeless and those in real need of safe, comfortable homes.
“We’re proud to be involved in this pioneering project to help people rebuild their lives and make the transition from homelessness towards independent living.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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