Blackburn Homeless Shelter Likely To Become 52 Bedsit Accommodation

Hey friend, listen to this interesting news. A building in Blackburn might become a large house. It used to be a homeless shelter, but it closed. Hayhill Care wants to turn it into bedsits. They want 52 beds in the old Union House near St Peter Street and the college.

Last year, the council shut it down citing the poor conditions back in May of 2023. The building itself is pretty old, dating back to 1900. The council had clamped down on bedsits hoping to stop issues in the area.

Some politicians are unsure about the plan. One said that 52 beds might be too many while another stated that we must balance affordable housing and consider the impacts on locals. It’s a tricky situation overall.

The old shelter housed many people before. At one point, 43 people lived there. An inspection showed problems and that the living conditions were not good at all, according to the statement.

The building is in a busy area of shops, garages, and offices. There are also churches and schools. It stands out from residential properties, and the new plan resembles the old use.

The building has two main parts connected by a two-story section. The larger building is four stories tall. It faces St Peter Street, which is very busy.

The smaller building is about half the size with only three stories at the back. There’s also a small one-story extension. Many services surround the building.

People could easily reach shops, cafes, and transport, as well as legal services and hotels. This area offers much to its residents. It’s also close to Blackburn University Centre where students need affordable housing near their studies.

The plan is to make 52 bedsits and change the inside to meet the council’s rules to provide a comfy place to live. They want to make the bridge a shared space, that would even have an outdoor gym for everyone. This could build a community there.

Fixing up the building will improve things a lot, and this project could really help Blackburn. Each room will get its own bathroom. This upgrade improves the living standards.

A council member said we have many bedsits already. If it runs well, it’ll be good but if it doesn’t work out, it could be a problem. He still thinks 52 is a huge number to start with.

Another member said it is tough for councils to balance affordable housing and local impact. Problems like too many bedsits nearby puts pressure on the local community.

The council also considers housing quality versus business. They look at housing policy and want the best for everyone involved. The council isn’t saying much for now though.