The Council this week took a big stride forward in its strategy to improve housing for local homeless and vulnerable people, as tenants started to move into the first of three new temporary housing developments in the borough.
Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, visited the first in Cook Road, Dagenham to meet young people moving into the 92 new homes developed by Be First, and built by Jerram Falkus.
Cllr Bright said: “These new flats will provide good quality temporary accommodation for local people who have roots in this borough but who find themselves homeless, whereas previously they were living in inadequate hostels or expensive temporary accommodation, sometimes far away from family, friends or support.
“Not only will these homes give them somewhere decent to stay while they find permanent housing, but the development will also save the council thousands of pounds each year which we can invest in better services.”
The 92 homes were built off site using top quality materials, delivered, assembled and finished at the site in Cook Road, Dagenham, in record time.
Overall, there are 24 one-bedroom flats, 36 two-bedroom flats and 32 three-bedroom homes.
Darren Cutts, Assistant Construction Director at Be First, said: “We’re really proud to play our part in helping to give local families who have been living in insecure accommodation a more stable future.”
The Cook Road development is part of a wider strategy which will deliver up to 200 new homes to house local homeless people and families.
It allows the council to offer accommodation to homeless families within the borough at the same time as reducing the cost of providing temporary accommodation which is currently £18million a year.
