High-quality temporary accommodation to help homeless families

Two more temporary accommodation developments have been unveiled by Three Rivers District Council as it honours its pledge to reduce the number of residents housed outside the district.

The high-quality developments in South Oxhey comprise 12 two-bedroomed flats and are built to a contemporary design using traditional materials.

In the past the council has been forced to house local families who become homeless through no fault of their own in properties outside the district. But since making a commitment to reduce the number of people housed outside the local area, the council has built more temporary accommodation, including in September 2019, 17 flats in Bury Lane, Rickmansworth.

The two latest developments, located off Ashridge Drive and Bowring Green, are self-contained, furnished and fitted with high-efficiency gas combi boilers and solar panels. Two of the flats are suitable for people with physical disabilities, with a wet room, wheelchair access and adjustable height kitchen worktop.

Cllr Andrew Scarth, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing, said: “I am hugely impressed by the high quality of the design, construction and internal fittings which will help give people some dignity and self-respect at such a difficult point in their lives.”

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the Council’s leader, said: “Like many councils, in the past we have had no choice but to house families in accommodation outside the local area. These two new developments add to our existing portfolio of temporary accommodation ensuring we are doing everything we possibly can to support local families if they are made homeless and need somewhere to live.”

Photographs showing Cllr Andrew Scarth and Cllr Sarah Nelmes touring the sites can be downloaded via this link: https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/94779cba39c744b2a4d4d19d80941e39