Councillors Approve £1million Purchase Of Newport Flats For Temporary Accommodation

Plans to spend more than £1million on 10 apartments for temporary accommodation have been approved by Isle of Wight councillors.

Members of the Isle of Wight Council Policy, Finance and Resources Committee unanimously backed the purchase of Kiln House on Woodbine Close in Newport during a meeting yesterday (Thursday).

Kiln House, which consists of 10 flats, is currently leased to County Hall. A committee report said buying the building would help ensure the council can continue to meet its legal duties relating to housing.

According to the report, the authority is currently providing temporary accommodation for more than 200 households, much of which is sourced from third-party providers.

The report states:

“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 accommodation, and the council has committed to a reduction in this area.

“More specifically there is a commitment to ensure that no child spends more than six weeks in bed and breakfast accommodation.

“In addition to the commitment to reduce the reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation and in order to ensure a more stable supply of accommodation for this purpose, the council is seeking to invest in these properties so that it has permanent solutions to provide directly to households in need.”

Phil Jordan, leader of the Alliance administration, welcomed the move.

He said:

“It looks like a progressive, good move forward – positive.

"Always trying to address some of the issues we have with homelessness in a positive way and in a long-term way.

“Owning the properties that people in the future can access can only be a good thing.”