NEW supported accommodation for people who are homeless will open this month, the council has confirmed.

Curzon House in Saltney has been refurbished and will provide 36 private rooms, where people who have been homeless and are in need of supported accommodation will have a place to stay until they can find a new home.

The building is owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council and was previously used as a residential and respite home.

The refurbishment works will be complete in early November and the building is due to open in the same month.

The council has appointed Forum Housing to manage the accommodation on its behalf.

Forum Housing will provide individual support to the people living there to help them move on to permanent homes and live independently.

Most residents are expected to stay at the scheme for around six months before finding a new home.

There will be staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They will provide specialist support with housing, employment, health and personal finance so that the residents can move on with their lives.

The council consulted with neighbours, stakeholders and local ward councillors during 2022 and 2023 about the plans, and a letter from the council has been sent to local residents and businesses to update them on the November opening.

In response to the number of people approaching the housing services with support needs, the council is developing more supported housing such as at Curzon House in line with its current programme. 

The increase in supported housing means the council will have fewer people in hotels with support needs and moving on through supported housing will be quicker for those people that require it.

Cllr Christine Warner, cabinet member for homes, planning and safer communities, said: “As a council we believe that nobody in our borough should be forced to sleep rough and become homeless.

"People sleeping either on the streets or spending prolonged periods of time confined to a single room in a hotel is not an adequate response for people in difficult circumstances, and not one that we would want for our family or friends.

"That’s why we’re using accommodation like this so that we can continue to help vulnerable members of our community who are at risk of homelessness.

"Curzon House can provide people with the right support and suitable, supported accommodation while they seek a more permanent long-term home.

“We know that this is a subject that matters deeply to lots of people in Chester. Homes like this make a massive difference to people’s lives and are an important part of our community. They keep people away from life on the streets and in the current climate, where more people are struggling to deal with the cost of living, they are more important than ever.”

If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness and you need assistance, you should contact the Housing Options team on 0808 175 3595 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am - 4.30pm) and (Wednesday 1pm - 4.30pm). You can also report a rough sleeper on this number or via StreetLink - thestreetlink.org.uk

If you are homeless out of normal office hours and you need accommodation, you can ring the Out of Hours number on 0300 123 7035. This number is not for general housing advice but for people who need emergency accommodation.