Swansea Council and a social housing provider have joined forces to repurpose the old police station located on the corner of Alexandra Road and Orchard Street into a new accommodation facility for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The grade two-listed former central police station, now known as Llys Glas, has been under the ownership of Pobl Group since 2003. Initially serving as student accommodation, the building will now undergo a transformation to offer approximately 65 rooms for single occupants or couples. Upgrades to existing kitchens, installation of new kitchens, a new sprinkler system, and enhanced access arrangements are among the planned refurbishments. The conversion project has received approval for detailed planning and listed building consent applications.
The initiative aims to address the increasing need for temporary supported accommodation in Swansea and reduce reliance on bed and breakfast facilities, a necessity exacerbated by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, rising living costs, and a shortage of affordable housing options. Councillor Andrea Lewis, deputy leader and cabinet member for service transformation, views the collaboration between the council and Pobl Group as a crucial step in alleviating homelessness pressures in Swansea. She emphasised the provision of support for individuals with additional needs while residing at the redeveloped property, with the ultimate goal of facilitating their transition to more permanent housing solutions promptly.
Recent statistics on homelessness in Swansea underscore the urgency of such initiatives, showing a year-on-year increase in homelessness rates. Andrew Vye, Executive Director for Customer and Community at Pobl Group, highlighted the pivotal role of secure housing in empowering individuals who have experienced homelessness to rebuild their lives. He acknowledged the pervasive challenge of homelessness across Wales, underscoring the importance of initiatives that offer stability and support to affected individuals. Pobl Group has previously collaborated with the council to establish temporary supported accommodation at the Ty Tom Jones building in Alexandra Road and homeless ‘pods’ at a former education centre in Uplands, in addition to temporary accommodation flats for families in Penlan.
The demand for both temporary and permanent accommodations in local authorities across Wales continues to rise, as highlighted by Audit Wales, which reported over 11,000 individuals temporarily housed by councils in Wales in the previous year, including 3,003 children. Discussing the financial implications of addressing homelessness challenges, Mark Wade, the council’s Director of Place, indicated significant annual expenditures incurred in Swansea to tackle the issue. Concerns were raised at a recent governance and audit committee meeting regarding the heightened risk posed by the housing crisis, necessitating urgent and sustainable solutions to safeguard vulnerable populations in the region.
The collaborative endeavour between Swansea Council and Pobl Group exemplifies a proactive approach to repurposing existing infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the community. By converting the old police station into temporary supported accommodation, the project not only offers a lifeline to individuals experiencing homelessness but also represents a tangible step towards addressing the broader housing crisis prevalent in the region. The commitment to providing secure and supportive housing solutions underscores a shared commitment to social responsibility and community welfare, positioning Swansea as a progressive and inclusive city striving to ensure housing stability for all its residents.