New homes providing emergency accommodation for local homeless people have been completed this week.
Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, visited the new look Grays Court in Dagenham this week.
Cllr Bright said: “The pandemic has underlined just how important a stable home is and, at the same time, just how easy it is to lose your home, through no fault of your own.
“So, I’m pleased that the newly renovated Grays Court will provide top quality emergency accommodation for people that find themselves in homeless and in need of somewhere secure to stay while they get themselves back on their feet. It is a real asset for the whole community.”
The restoration of Grays Court gives new life to the old hospital building and now provides 59 temporary accommodation rooms, a new community space and a GP out of hours service.
The community space will provide space for:
• a community food club and cooking school
• family learning opportunities
• education and training facilities
• careers fairs and job clubs
The new Grays Court was developed by Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration organisation, and built by United Living.
Iain Ferguson, Commercial Director at Be First, said: “Be First is not just about bricks and mortar, we’re about hearts and minds too. The new Grays Court will be a real community asset which will benefit local people looking for a permanent home and those who want to grab new opportunities and learn new skills.”
Paul Fleming, Project Manager at United Living, said: “This was a fantastic project to be a part of. The United living team that has delivered this project, feel extremely proud to have been able to deliver this much needed, quality emergency accommodation for individuals and families in these troubled times. Knowing how hard the pandemic has hit many families, this building can be a lifeline for so many.”
