53 new properties for homeless families leased by Peterborough City Council

The council is proposing to lease 53 properties from Cross Keys Homes for the next five years.

Elizabeth Court was purchased by the housing association last year and, according to the council, “is currently empty with previous residents all happily rehoused elsewhere.”

The council, subject to cabinet member approval, would pay Cross Keys a total of £366,122 each year for the 53 properties, which the council believes will all be occupied in July.

However, where families are eligible, the council would be able to claim 100 per cent of this cost back through housing benefit subsidy.

By using accommodation at Elizabeth Court, rather than hotels or bed and breakfasts for the equivalent number of homeless families, the council has estimated that it will save close to £800,000 per year.

Councillor Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities and environment capital, said: “In the past year Peterborough has seen a noticeable increase in the number of homeless applicants who are owed a full housing duty.

“This increase in homelessness is a national issue with many areas across the country facing similar pressures. We’ve therefore had to use hotels to accommodate those in need and this is expensive and not a good fit for families.

“This proposal is a big step forward and was identified as an opportunity through work with Medesham Homes, the company set up by the council and Cross Keys Homes to build new homes in the city.

“Alongside other measures we have had to take, it will ensure we have more properties to support Peterborough families in need and to reduce the housing cost to the city.”

The Peterborough Telegraph revealed last year that the council was spending more than £1 million a year putting homeless families in Travelodges.

The council also agreed a deal last year with Stef & Philips to lease 72 homes at St Michael’s Gate in Parnwell as temporary accommodation for homeless families.

The deal was hugely controversial because Stef & Philips was evicting the existing tenants, although the council insists that if it had not used the homes for its own needs then another council would have used them instead.

Improvement works at Elizabeth Court, which will take place prior to families being accommodated, will include replacing bathrooms and kitchens as well as general repairs.

The re-fit is set to cost approximately £788,000 and would be funded by money received from other developments in the city, subject to cabinet member approval.

Claire Higgins, chief executive of Cross Keys Homes, said: “Cross Keys Homes is passionately committed to helping to solve the housing crisis in Peterborough – and particularly the shortage of temporary accommodation.

“We truly welcome this great opportunity to work in partnership with Peterborough City Council to provide high quality accommodation for those facing a very difficult time in their life.

“Just as we do in our other temporary accommodation, we will also use our expertise to support Elizabeth Court tenants into permanent homes and to address any other challenges they are facing. This is so that, if at all possible, we can prevent them becoming homeless ever again.”

The number of families in temporary accommodation in Peterborough has doubled in the past two years with the council currently supporting approximately 200.

After five years the lease could be reviewed or the site could deliver a new development of affordable housing.

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