Modern accommodation opens for homeless mothers thanks to Council refurb
A run-down building in Seven Sisters has been transformed into safe, warm, modern temporary accommodation for homeless women, including pregnant women and women with babies.
The detached property was given a significant investment by Hackney Council, and now boasts 14 high-spec self-contained rooms, with ensuites and kitchenettes, with a number of specially designed rooms for small family units.
Rekah, who has been living at the Lanark hostel for two months, says: “Everything is all good here – it’s excellent. We have a toilet, it’s very tidy inside and newly furnished, and the kitchen is nice. My window has a park view!
“I was given an eviction notice and the Council helped me find this place. If the Council didn’t help I don't know what I would have done. It was very stressful. I have no choice, no one to help me. I have been living in Hackney for more than eight years.
“I think it’s important [to have] places like this because I have no money to go somewhere else. There are a lot of women who need help like me.”
The hostel, owned by Smarts group but run by the Council, also includes CCTV and managers on site, in line with all new Council hostels.
Homeless women, especially those who are pregnant and with children, are some of the most vulnerable people in our borough. This newly refurbished hostel - designed especially for them, and their very specific needs - is a wonderful, modern and safe space for them to live while they find their feet.
We are committed to improving all our temporary accommodation to ensure they meet the 21st century standards of living, including quality amenities and improved insulation
This latest redesign is part of a multimillion renovation project of five hostels for homeless people including buildings designed for former rough sleepers and single people, some with complex needs, who are without a home.
Hackney provides temporary accommodation to more than 3,000 households and manages the largest temporary accommodation hostel stock in London - but it is inadequate to meet the level of demand, which has seen homelessnes approaches increase by nearly 45% since 2017.
Increasing the supply of suitable in-borough temporary accommodation and genuinely affordable housing in the borough is a priority requiring creative and innovative steps, including our not-for-profit housebuilding programme, which has directly delivered more than 1,000 new homes in Hackney, prioritising Council homes for social rent.
Next week, I’ll outline ambitious plans to tackle the cost of living crisis and affordable housing shortage head-on by creating 1,000 more new Council homes for social rent by 2026.
The Council can help prevent or delay residents from becoming homeless. For advice and guidance, visit our homelessness advice page; or call: 020 8356 2929 or 020 8356 2300.