Go-Ahead Given For New Accommodation For Homeless In Market Harborough

The go-ahead has been given for new accommodation for the homeless to be built in Market Harborough town centre.

Councillors last night approved plans for the three-storey building on Roman Way, close to the Church Square junction.

It will contain nine apartments to provide temporary housing to people who declare themselves homeless to Harborough District Council, which has been on the rise.

How the new building will look Pic: BRP Architects

A former house on the site, which was bought by the council last year, will be demolished to make-way for the development.

The planning committee heard that in the last year, an average of nine individuals and seven families per week have declared themselves homeless in the district; and the Council has paid out over £140,000 on temporary accommodation in the past six months.

Work to build the new facility is likely to start early next year and will help the authority save on the cost of housing people on a temporary basis, in hotels and B&B accommodation.

Cllr Simon Whelband, cabinet member for housing, spoke to HFM:

A former house will be demolished to make way for the new facility.
Pic: Andy Carpenter