Homeless people and young families in Worthing have moved into new affordable accommodation, helping to reduce the council's emergency housing costs.
The 36 units in Rowlands Road and Downview Road are expected to save Worthing Borough Council more than £160,000 in the first year, by reducing the council's spending on temporary and emergency placements.
The new accommodation will also help to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living in the town.
The homes are included in the Thriving People and Communities scheme, which forms part of the council's aspiration to improve levels of affordable housing supply, while recognising the high need for emergency and temporary accommodation.
There are currently 269 households in temporary accommodation provided by Worthing Borough Council, compared to 176 households in January 2021.
The development in Downview Road includes a commercial unit, and eight one and two bedroom flats.
A former care home in Rowlands Road, parts of which date back to the Edwardian era, has been converted into 19 self-contained flats.
Downview Road is expected to save the Council around £104,000 in its first year, and then an average of £245,000 a year going forward. The Rowlands Road properties will save the Council about £58,000 a year.
Councillor Heather Mercer, Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Customer Services, which includes housing, said:
“It is fantastic to see these projects providing people with much-needed homes, which mean they can stay close to their families and support networks instead of moving out of the area.
“We are committed to improving the lives of vulnerable people and young families to give them the stability they need to get themselves back on an even keel.
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