Council May Spend Over £1 Million On Newport Flats As Temporary Accommodation

Ten apartments in the Isle of Wight’s county town may be bought by the council for over £1 million.

The Isle of Wight Council’s adult social care, public health and housing needs committee will this week consider whether to endorse the purchase of Kiln House in Newport’s Woodbine Close, to continue providing temporary accommodation for those in need.

The Isle of Wight Council currently provides temporary accommodation for over 200 households, according to a committee report.

Its Kiln House proposal follows an upward trend in the number of households on the housing register over the last few years, a figure which currently stands at 2,644, as of December 31 last year.

Isle of Wight residents register for social housing via the Island HomeFinder system.

“The building (Kiln House) consists of ten flats which are currently leased to the council,” the committee report says.

“The building is being sold and so the purchase will ensure that the councils’ statutory duties in relation to housing can continue to be met.

“The council is currently providing temporary accommodation for in excess of 200 households.

"This accommodation is sourced largely from third parties. There is currently a reliance on bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation, and the council has committed to a reduction in this area.”

A risk of County Hall not purchasing Kiln House will be that the council’s stock of temporary accommodation is depleted, officers have warned.

Resulting re-provision could involve B&B accommodation and increased costs.

The committee report recommends approving the purchase of Kiln House because it will maintain the council’s ability to not use B&B accommodation for families.

It says retaining an alternative to B&B provision will in turn support poverty reduction.

The policy, finance and resources commmittee is also due to consider the purchase.

Councillors will meet to discuss the proposal at County Hall on Thursday at 5pm.