On 7 November, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved a planning application to develop three new homes to house local families who are at risk of homelessness. These new homes will be located alongside Fairview Road, making use of brownfield land and contributing to the borough’s temporary housing availability. (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Planning Committee, 07/11/2024 - pages 23-58

In recent years, there has been a large rise in demand for temporary accommodation in the borough, which is partly due to the shortage of social housing, very high housing costs associated with living in the South East, and the high cost of private rented accommodation. There is not currently enough temporary accommodation locally to meet these needs, and the shortage is particularly severe for family-sized homes. There are a significant number of families in nightly paid accommodation outside the borough, which is not only very expensive, but can also have a severe negative impact on families’ wellbeing.

Alongside providing life-changing support to local families, these homes will also lead to savings for the council over time. The cost of the development will be offset by the rental income received and a reduction in the need for nightly paid accommodation. The council was successfully awarded funding of £75,000 from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Brownfield Land Relief Fund, to be invested in this project.

At present the borough has 160 homeless households in temporary accommodation in the borough and more than 90 homeless households in nightly paid accommodation outside the borough. Many of these families may have to wait more than three years before temporary accommodation in the borough becomes available, and even longer before a permanent housing solution can be found for them.

The homes are prefabricated and will be fully furnished. They are designed to be attractive, fitting in with the outlook of the area, and to provide a safe, welcoming and energy-efficient space for three families.

Cllr Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee, said:

“Insufficient housing levels, particularly affordable housing, is a national issue and like many councils across the country we are experiencing extreme demand for temporary accommodation which these homes will help to alleviate.

The wide-ranging negative impact that homelessness brings cannot be underestimated. Epsom & Ewell has proportionately one of the highest numbers of homeless households living in temporary accommodation in England and increasing temporary accommodation provision for local families will not only be life-changing for those being housed now and, in the future, but will have a positive impact on the borough as a whole.”