Temporary pods and mobile classroom set to house homeless in Herefordshire

The mobile classroom is parts of plans to house homeless people this winter

Homeless people in Herefordshire could be housed in a mobile classroom and temporary pods over the winter.

The council plans to turn the Acorn Building, a demountable by Venn's Close car park in Hereford, into a shelter.

Plans for four pods alongside the classroom, plus a further two at the county bus station car park are also being considered by councillors.

Delays in finding suitable premises has led to emergency accommodation being found until the plans are approved.

The council has been given government funding to prepare and staff the temporary shelter.

Up to £60,000 will be used to set up accommodation and staff it and more than £47,000 to buy four new accommodation pods and £40,000 to rent up to eight more.

The council said it was aware of 18 people rough sleeping in the county in October, but expected up to 22 individuals would need to be accommodated, with separate space for men and women.

Review of arrangements

"The premises identified and pods purchased ensure there is an immediate and safe off-the-streets offer for people experiencing rough sleeping," the authority said.

These will remain in place until April, after which "a review of arrangements will take place and these pods may be relocated according to demand", it added.

The council said it had consulted agencies and voluntary groups locally through the Herefordshire Homeless Forum about the plan.

Local authorities have a duty to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers during extreme weather.

The consultation on the pods application ends on 30 December.