Temporary housing coming to Thetford
Building is underway
Last updated 31st Mar 2021
Building work on a new, modern temporary accommodation unit in Thetford is now underway. When complete, the site will help people across the Breckland district in need of emergency housing. The scheme is being delivered by Breckland Council and will see extensive redevelopment work undertaken at the former community day centre in Elm Road, turning it into accommodation for up to 35 people.
Councils across the country have in recent years been reporting a rise in demand from people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This new resource will help Breckland Council meet that demand, while reducing the need to use alternative sites, such as hotels and bed & breakfast accommodation, to temporarily house residents.
When opened, the facility will be managed by the district council's Housing Team and provide expert support, advice and high quality temporary emergency accommodation for single adults, couples, and families from Thetford and across Breckland. The work is being delivered by Cocksedge Building Contractors and is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Darren Reeve, Cocksedge Building Contractors Commercial Manager, Commented:
"We are delighted to have been selected by Breckland District Council to deliver the new temporary accommodation unit at Elm Road. The facility will provide a valuable resource for local people when they find themselves in the most vulnerable of situations. Our team have made a positive start with early demolition work for the remodelling and building alterations.
"We will be working closely with the local community to ensure impact of the work is minimsed. We will also be using local SME's within our supply chain wherever possible to assist with localised business recovery as we move out of Covid restrictions. The project will also prove valuable for training for our in-house apprentices who will be provided with supervised work experience as the project progresses."