A 3-year trial period leading to a funding hiccup have put plans for a Newport homeless support accommodation in danger.
The Castle Lodge guest house on Castle Road, Newport, looked set to be transformed into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) following recent approval by Isle of Wight Council planners.
The HMO will be run by Two Saints to provide affordable, good-quality and supported accommodation for people to continue their recovery journey as part of the council’s homeless pathway. The accommodation will help those ready to live more independently and be a base for them for between 3 and 12 months, while they find somewhere more permanent to live.
However, a decision to limit the permission for Two Saints to 3 years, instead of indefinitely, has caused problems for the not-for-profit organisation with it being unable to secure a Homes England grant to buy the property.
Now Two Saints is looking to change the permission from 3 years to permanent use.
The property will be an 11-room HMO, suitable for up to 12 residents, with staff present on-site 7 days a week from 09:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday and 09:00 to 12:00 on Sundays, with 24/7 support through on-call managers.
In documents supporting the application, the organisation said:
“Without Homes England grant subsidy, the purchase of Castle Lodge is financially unviable for us, meaning we will not be able to purchase the property and ensure rent levels are affordable and within social rent levels.
Article continues below this advertisement “By removing the condition, we would obtain a permanent permission that runs with the land/property and enables us to obtain grant to subsidise and achieve social rents.”
The condition was attached to the planning permission by the committee after councillors deemed not enough had been done to reassure neighbours and engage with them about the accommodation which led to a lot of misinformation, objections, stereotypes and panic.
A proposed management plan has also been submitted for approval, laying out what security provisions will be in place, how the residents will be chosen to live there and how anti-social behaviour may be dealt with.
Two Saints said:
“We believe the property to be a really good opportunity to change lives and enable people to take new steps on their individual journeys.
“We see the property and the residents as part of the local community and to this end, Two Saints staff will liaise with the community prior to opening to talk through the aims of the service and answer any queries.”
The organisation said it will fully engage with groups to ensure smooth and safe implementation and running of the HMO.
To view the plans, 21/01450/RVC, you can visit the council’s planning portal. Comments can be accepted until Friday 13th August.
how about two saints recognise the fact that the residents do not want these deadbeats in their street – why don’t the two saints do gooders buy a house next door to their own first – as proof of their commitment to this idea.
i bet the do gooders live miles and miles away from any of the miscreants that will be in their HMO’s – take a look at green street ryde, to see what will happen.
It should be noted that this so called charity paid out over £6.1 million in wages last year and at least one is earning £80k a year and one on £70k
seems like they are doing all right out of it.
The solution to homelessness has to start somewhere. Many of us want anti-social behavior to stop in our communities, schemes like this start the process of ending homelessness. Not ideal, but what are we doing to help?
I think you forgot to add that £6.1 million was paid to 239 staff, approx £25,000 per person. Average salary.
I imagine if you want charities to be run well you have to invest in good Chief Executives, so £80,000 would be a good investment, considering most successful leaders will be taking pay cuts to run an organisation to help a solve a social problem
no visitor….the word charity is understood as…help provided for free. you know… charity work.
these leeches rinse the donations for as much as possible and also, how about we site one of these HMO’s next to you – are you good with that – thought not.
Interesting reading what their employees think of them
We need good old fashion council houses, not these places that create misery among neighborhoods…
So if this was a private company who couldn’t secure the loan/investment, what would the planners say?
Tough – no go
More people need housing now more than ever thanks to covid and people can be screen b4 permitted residence and some of these people have worked all there lives even fought for there country’s but find themselves on hard times some people shouldn’t be tarnished with the same brush as !!!!
i look forward to seeing you offering your home or recommending the building next door to you foxy as the next HMO – thought not eh.
covid hasn’t increased the population, so no, there isn’t a need for more housing
Are you sure? Castle Lodge is currently listed on Rightmove for sale?! 495k advertised as a business opporunity as a guest house.