Plans for 34 flats that ‘bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent accommodation’ approved for Lincoln
More than 30 flats that aim to ‘bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent accommodation’ have been given the green light.
It is hoped that Homer House on Sibthorp Street, Lincoln, will help to meet the need for temporary accommodation as growing numbers of people approach the council for help.
The application for 34 flats was been submitted by social housing provider Lincolnshire Employment Accommodation Project Ltd (LEAP), which supports those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Part of the building currently serves as homeless accommodation with 18 en-suite bedrooms and shared kitchen facilities.
The new design will allow each person housed there to have more spacious, private facilities.
Homer House is located in the residential Sincil Bank area, close to the lower High Street.
Other parts of the building are currently used by the NHS and office space for LEAP.
The change, which has now been approved by City of Lincoln Council’s planning department, will be funded by Homes England.
Homer House was originally built in 1973 as offices for a local car parts company.
Planning documents say: “The need for the proposals arises from LEAP Ltd wishing to make more effective use of the existing Homer House.”
Homelessness can have many forms, including people sleeping rough, sofa surfing or unable to find any long-term accommodation, and can result from relationship breakdowns or evictions.
A council report earlier this year found that the number of people sleeping rough on the city’s streets was on the increase.
Teams reported 21 people at the time, with eviction being blamed as the main reason for their situation.
328 people at risk of homelessness approached the council between October and December – more than double the number for the same time in 2023.
The council was only able to prevent 36 per cent of them from being classified as homeless due to difficulty finding accommodation in the city.
