Epsom library flats used for homeless accommodation

By Emily Dalton - Local Democracy Reporter

2nd Apr 2024 | Local News

Stoneleigh Community Library (Photo: Google Maps)
Stoneleigh Community Library (Photo: Google Maps)

Two flats above a library are set to be used as temporary accommodation for homeless people, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council decided last Tuesday, March 26. 

Demand for temporary accommodation is "acute", according to the council.

It is currently predicting an overspend of £200,000 of its £1.5m temporary accommodation budget, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

Two self-contained, two bedroom maisonettes that sit above the Stoneleigh Community Library in Epsom that are accessed through the back of the building are earmarked for use. 

Surrey County Council, who commercially lease the empty flats, have reportedly refurbished the maisonettes to a "high standard" and will require "minimal preparation" to be used as temporary accommodation. 

Emergency and temporary accommodation is provided to housing register applicants whilst their claim is being investigated.

Homeless people currently sit in Band A of the council's housing allocations. 

Around 235 homeless 'households' (i.e individuals or families) were accommodated by the council in 2021, with 155 in temporary accommodation and 80 in nightly-paid accommodation, costing up to £140 a night.

Meeting documents state the decision will create a real cost saving of £30,920 pa for the two maisonettes combined to the council.

A budget of £15,000 was agreed to cover the development of the site, with £5,000 covering legal and/or surveyor costs to the council and contributing to SCC for landlord approval costs.

An additional £10,000 is set aside for a maisonettes preparation contingency. 

Owned by a private landlord, the borough council will under lease from SCC who currently commercially lets the property.

SCC and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council lease will co-expire in just under three years.

The terms will then be renewed or re-negotiated.

The council's report regarding the site is available here.

     

New kingston Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: kingston jobs

Share:

Related Articles

Messenger has been training for the Ironman Challenge (Image supplied)
Local News

Man to take on California Ironman Challenge for Kingston-based charity

"If TDRA goes ahead, the River Thames at Teddington will be flushed with unsafe chemicals, a place where people swim, paddle, row in and walk alongside.”   She continued: “Thames Water is admitting it  won’t meet the highest standards at the proposal stage," says SOLAR member, Berni O'Dea (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)
Local News

Local campaign group member comments on Thames Water’s new water quality trial

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide kingston with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.