Nottingham set to convert care home into temporary accommodation

Nottingham City Council to convert a former care home into temporary homes for families across the region.

The number of families in need of temporary accommodation is expected to increase in the next year as the ban on evictions, that came in during the pandemic, is lifted.

Nottingham City Homes plan to buy the empty Laura Chambers Lodge in Clifton and convert it into self-contained flats to temporarily house families in crisis situations.

The care home has been empty since 2016 and is no longer used by the Council.

The Council hope that this will save money by reducing the need to provide expensive bed and breakfast or nightly paid temporary accommodation for homeless families.

Cllr Linda Woodings, portfolio holder for planning and housing at Nottingham City Council, said: ‘Due to a combination of factors including the lifting of the eviction ban and impact of the pandemic lockdown on jobs and livelihoods, we have a need to increase the amount of temporary accommodation which is suitable for families.

‘This proposal will allow Nottingham City Homes to provide that support by transforming an unused building into much-needed temporary accommodation. This will allow families in Clifton, who are experiencing difficulties, to be supported, retain important links to family support networks and use local facilities like schools and doctors.’

Families would be able to stay in the Lodge until the crisis they face is dealt with, when they can then move into more permanent settled accommodation.

The proposal will go before the Council’s Executive Board for approval.

A spokesperson for Nottingham City Homes Group, Nick Murphy, said: ‘The former care home has been vacant for several years and would make a safe and supportive place for struggling families to stay in Clifton. We would welcome the approval of these plans, so we can provide good quality, well-managed temporary accommodation before families move to a permanent settled home.’

In related news, a Sheffield City Council housing scheme in Birley that aims to provide 77 new homes has received planning permission.

Photo by Tom Podmore