Work has begun to replace “outdated” temporary accommodation on a mobile home park in Wokingham.
Wokingham Borough Council is replacing 12 old mobile homes at Grovelands Park in Winnersh with 23 self-contained prefabricated units.
The council is required to provide temporary emergency housing for homeless families with children, or families and individuals who are vulnerable, until they find a settled home. Since March 2020 it has placed nearly 100 people into temporary accommodation.
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“Homelessness is a fast-growing issue across the country and, sadly, Wokingham borough is no different,” said the executive member for finance and housing, Councillor John Kaiser. “We've seen an increase during the coronavirus pandemic and, coupled with the rising cost of living, this trend is likely to continue.”
The Grovelands site is “essential” for the council to reduce the homeless figures in the area, but it claims that the old accommodation was “built for holiday homes and not intended for longer term occupation.”
“The council undertook extensive works […] to prolong their lifespan but they had reached the stage where further works were neither possible nor economically viable,” said a council spokesperson.
The council wants to reduce the reliance on bed and breakfasts, which Cllr Kaiser calls “expensive.” However, there has been criticism that the combined living space of 21.7 sqm is smaller than most two-bed accommodation.
“Yes, they may be undersized but people here are in transit to better accommodation,” said the chair of the Planning Committee, Simon Weeks.
According to the council, the new two-bedroom stackable homes will allow families to be accommodated “safely and comfortably while they wait for somewhere to live.”
Opposition to the replacements claimed the units will be an eyesore and had raised concerns that the sewage system and fire safety would be inadequate.
The council has pledged that Grovelands Park will be upgraded with “improved parking and drainage” and they will have “the latest fire safety measures, like sprinkler systems.”
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The “Everyone In” emergency measure in place at the start of the pandemic was dropped in summer 2020 but the council is seeking Government funding to continue the efforts. The council has also launched its first permanent Housing First support scheme for former rough sleepers by buying four flats with Government funding.
“Combined with other measures like our highly effective rough sleeping strategy, which we’re hoping will eliminate rough sleeping in the borough within the next three years,” said Cllr Kaiser. “We’re working tirelessly to build safer, stronger communities by tackling the problem from all angles.”
Anyone at risk of becoming homeless, or who knows somebody who is, can learn more about the support on offer by visiting www.wokingham.gov.uk and searching for ‘homelessness.’
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