32 new homes built for homeless and people with learning disabilities

Work has finished on 32 new social homes for homeless families and people with learning disabilities as part of a council programme.

The new social housing development is part of Lewisham council’s Building for Lewisham programme.

The development has replaced a disused warehouse building in Mayow Road in Sydenham to provide the much-needed homes for residents.

Representatives from Lewisham council and NHS England were joined by colleagues from Avanti Architects, who designed the building, and developers Higgins Partnerships for a tour of the completed project Yesterday. 

Twenty-six of the self-contained apartments will be used as temporary accommodation for homeless families in Lewisham, helping reduce the number of people having to stay in nightly-paid accommodation, like hostels and B&Bs, while the council helps to find them a permanent home.

Councillor Brenda Dacres, cabinet member for housing development and planning, said: “Despite the progress we’ve made delivering new social homes, we still have over 3,000 families living in temporary accommodation in Lewisham, often for long periods of time.

“By building high-quality, self-contained temporary accommodation, we can reduce the number of homeless families having to spend time in hostels and B&Bs while we work with them to find a permanent home.”

The development also includes six supported living homes for young adults with learning disabilities and autism, delivered in partnership with NHS England through their Learning Disability and Autism programme. 

This accommodation will help residents to live more independently in a safe and inclusive environment. Supported living residents will be provided with 24/7 on-site care and support, as well as their own communal garden.

Councillor Paul Bell, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Enabling more adults with learning disabilities and autism to live independently is a key part of our Building for Lewisham programme. 

“This development will have a huge impact on the lives of the young people who will be moving in.

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to work in partnership with NHS England to deliver this important scheme.” 

With work on these new homes now complete, Lewisham council have said residents are set to move in shortly.

Pictured top: Councillor Brenda Dacres, cabinet member for housing development and planning, outside the new housing development with local councillors and members of the project team (Picture: Lewisham council)