Watford Borough Council's Cabinet are considering the sale of 122 Exchange Road to local charity New Hope...
This will be at their next meeting on 1 July, paving the way for plans to create a modern, enhanced homelessness support facility in the heart of the town.
The proposal would see the vacant council-owned building transferred to New Hope, which operates The Sanctuary homelessness hostel next door at 124 Exchange Road.
Subject to Cabinet approval, the site would be sold at a reduced price of £200,000 to help the charity deliver the redevelopment, with New Hope then taking responsibility for demolition and construction of a new purpose-built facility. A recent market valuation suggests that sale of the site to the open market may have generated £565,000 and best consideration price would have been £350,000 to £450,000.
By bringing the two sites together, New Hope intends to improve the quality of accommodation and support available to people experiencing homelessness, while also increasing the number of temporary accommodation rooms available in the borough.
The proposal also forms part of the council's wider commitment to tackling homelessness and supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the community. The potential sale would enable New Hope to fund and deliver a facility that brings together services currently provided across multiple locations, including severe weather emergency shelter provision.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: "Everyone deserves a safe place to stay and access to the support they need to rebuild their lives. These plans would create improved facilities for people experiencing homelessness in Watford, while bringing a vacant site back into positive use.
"By working in partnership with New Hope, the project would deliver better accommodation, better support services and long-term benefits for some of the most vulnerable members of our community."
Matthew Heasman, Chief Executive of New Hope, said: “Bringing these sites together would create an exciting opportunity to develop modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that would improve the support we provide to people experiencing homelessness. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the council and other partners as we develop our plans and help more people move towards independent living."
As part of the decision, Cabinet also agreed that the proceeds from the sale will be ring-fenced to support the delivery of additional temporary and affordable housing projects within the borough. It is also anticipated that the enhanced provision will also reduce long-term costs associated with temporary accommodation and severe weather emergency support.
The redevelopment proposals for the combined site will be subject to a future planning application and all necessary planning approvals. For more information about New Hope and its services, visit their website at newhope.org.uk.
