Work starts on apartments for the homeless

Pre-construction works has started this month at the former housing shelter, Tŷ Nos in Wrexham, to create new homes to help with homelessness.

The £4.5m project, which is a partnership between ClwydAlyn Housing Association, Wrexham County Borough Council, Welsh Government and Gareth Morris Construction, will see 19 one-bedroom affordable homes be built over two storeys and will initially be used for temporary accommodation.

The new builds will replace the existing outdated building and temporary cabin shelters and will be aimed at the homeless, with an expected completed date in autumn 2023.

Head of Development and Growth at ClwydAlyn, Penelope Storr said,

“This project builds on our commitment to beat poverty here in North Wales as well as bring much needed affordable accommodation to the local area.

“Over the years the Tŷ Nos scheme has provided a vital service for those facing homelessness, offering immediate housing and housing related support for homeless people. These new homes will once again offer this vital service and will ensure that more people leave the streets and be offered their first steppingstone into social housing with the aim to offer a support structure on site to develop the necessary skills required to move into general needs.”

The carbon friendly homes will be developed to ClwydAlyn’s high quality standard, ensuring that the properties are not only stylish and comfortable but also fit for the future. Aimed to have a positive impact on reducing fuel poverty as well as being much more environmentally conscious by minimising the energy demand and lowering carbon emissions.

Local construction firm, Gareth Morris Construction will be delivering the construction work, utilising their extensive expertise in the affordable housing sector. These homes will be built to the passive standard with a timber framed structure and high levels of insulation, providing efficient low carbon homes. This will ensure the minimum amount of energy is needed to keep the homes warm, reducing energy costs, whilst providing a much greener and cleaner way of living.

Dave Fewtrell, Construction Manager at Gareth Morris Construction said:

“We’re delighted to be working with ClwydAlyn and all other stakeholders to create much needed affordable homes for those who are experiencing homelessness in the Wrexham Borough. Securing this repeat contract award for ClwydAlyn enables us to provide further employment and upskilling opportunities for the local community.

“Through our established and embedded Community Benefits approach, this project also enables us to continue our work with the local communities of the Wrexham Borough, to provide them with further tangible benefits.”

“This new scheme represents our continued commitment to help North Wales thrive. Over the last few years we’ve seen the homelessness crises worsen due to the rise in cost of living and increase in house prices. This means there is an even greater need to support local people to live in a home they can afford. This development will help us tackle this threat and will provide a lifeline to those struggling.”

Cllr David A Bithell

Lead Member for Housing with Wrexham County Borough Council

This scheme is part of ClwydAlyn’s development programme to deliver further 1500 new homes in North Wales by 2025 at an investment of £250m bringing the total number of homes in management to over 7,500.