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Wales Online
National
Elizabeth Thomas

Housing for families who find themselves homeless near completion in Cardiff

Photos of new temporary modular homes that are being built in Cardiff show that the homes are 'almost complete.'

The temporary accommodation to help families struggling with homelessness is part of a housing development at a former gas site in Grangetown.

Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities and councillor for the Grangetown ward, shared a post on Facebook showing recent photographs of the temporary homes on Ferry Road to help families struggling with homelessness.

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"With family homelessness growing its really good to see our modular built temporary homes almost complete," Cllr Thorne wrote in the post.

"The homes are of the highest quality and totally energy efficient. Families will be provide with support on site when they are going through a traumatic period in their lives whilst waiting for permanent accommodation."

The former gas works was acquired by Cardiff Council in 2020 as part of its target of delivering 2,000 new homes across the city.

In the same year, the council announced that it would be working with housing developers Beattie Passive to deliver temporary accommodation on the site geared at homeless families.

The scheme will see 48 temporary homes based on the former gas works site, made up of one, two, and three-bedroom flats for families while a more permanent housing solution is found.

The modular built temporary homes in Grangetown, Cardiff (Cardiff Council)

The roads and pavements at the site are due to be completed at the site.

The Grangetown site joins three areas across Cardiff with temporary homes for families who present as homeless, including one on North Road.

"Wherever possible, we try to prevent homelessness and we are successful in around 90% of cases. But family homelessness is growing as is demand and we also use the private rented sector to house families who are homeless but many landlords are moving out of the private rented sector, some are selling up and others are moving in the holiday let market," Cllr Thorne said.

"We have reviewed the family homeless services and have developed three schemes Family Homelessness Centres where support services will be provided onsite."

The three sites include the gas works in Grangetown, Briardene in Gabalfa, and Harrison Drive in Rumney.

Cllr Thorne added: "I think we'll be able to offer a much better supportive service.

"I do think in terms of homelessness, whether it's family homelessness or single homelessness, we really have moved on over the last four years at providing a much better and supportive service for those people who, more often than not, find themselves in this position through no fault of their own. It's not just about a roof over their head, it's about providing that support as well."

A council spokesperson said: “The 48 new modular homes at the Gasworks site in Grangetown will provide attractive, safe & secure temporary homes for families who find themselves homeless while a more permanent housing solution is found.

“The development is a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats that have been constructed using Beattie Passive's innovative modular system which takes building standards to a new level. All of the new homes will meet Passivhaus standards, the gold standard of energy-efficient buildings, reducing heating requirements and minimising the carbon impact. These homes will be affordable to run, thereby helping to lift residents out of fuel poverty.

“External works, including landscaping and road works, are currently underway while the final modular unit which will provide an office building for on-site support staff for families arrives today to complete the modular installation.

“The homes will be ready for families in the Spring.”

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