Residents move into new homes for homeless in Poole

The council hopes the move will help to stop the cycle of homelessness in the district

Residents have moved into 24 new homes that have been built to help people who are currently homeless.

Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council opened the housing on Poole's Herbert Avenue on 31 October.

The £3.5m council-funded project was built by local developer AJC Group and will aim to reduce the dependency on bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

The council hopes the move will help to stop the cycle of homelessness in the district.

Construction of the scheme began in 2022.

'Energy efficient'

Councillor Kieron Wilson, member for housing, said: "This new development will be vital in providing much needed 'move on' accommodation for families and individuals who really need it."

The new homes provide people who are homeless with a stepping stone between hostels and independent living.

Located on the site of the former Bourne Valley Community Centre, the buildings feature self-contained apartments, three of which are wheelchair accessible.

The site also includes 15 parking spaces, a bike store and a communal garden.

The apartments have been designed to be energy efficient in order to keep running costs and bills for occupiers to a minimum. 

David Cracklen, from AJC Group said: "With Poole and Sandbanks being such a tourist hotspot, the need for homeless accommodation might not be at the forefront of people's minds.

"However, the high cost of living here and increasing rates of homelessness mean schemes like this are so vital. "