Plans approved for vital temporary housing in Worthing

Vital accommodation has been approved to support people who are rebuilding their lives after experiencing homelessness.

The new accommodation is set to be built in Worthing and will help people move on to more independent living.

The plans are the result of a partnership between local charity Turning Tides and housing provider Worthing Homes.

The accommodation, which will be created in a three-story building in Clifton Road made up of 13 flats, was given the go-ahead at Worthing Borough Council's Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday (23rd June 2021).

The low support, move-on accommodation will be managed by local charity Turning Tides, one of the largest providers of homeless services for adults in West Sussex.

Flats would be occupied by single adults who are moving towards securing permanent accommodation and who have been supported by the charity for a period of months or years.

The provision will free up accommodation at higher support projects run by Turning Tides, enabling them to respond to the increasing numbers of people in need.

It will also help Adur & Worthing Councils meet the housing need for those presenting as homeless by freeing up spaces in supported and temporary accommodation.

Turning Tides' support workers will visit the premises each week day so individual support and housing management check-ins can take place. The average tenancy would be approximately two years.

Cllr Noel Atkins, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said:

“We discussed the merits of the application and on reflection felt there was an overwhelming need to provide important temporary housing for those in need.

“The proposed redevelopment would allow for an effective and sustainable use of the site, to meet a particular and well-evidenced priority need.

“Expert teams in the Council and other local partners have a significant history of working in partnership with Turning Tides and are familiar with their move-on schemes, which are well run with thorough consideration.

“There are very rarely any reports of anti-social behaviour relating to these schemes and the team has not found them to adversely impact the surrounding neighbours.”

The plans involve the demolition of the existing house at 22 Clifton Road.

Each resident will be required to sign an agreement, including rules and expectations to be adhered to. They will also be provided with a support plan based upon their assessed individual needs, goals and aspirations.

John Holmstrom, Turning Tides' Chief Executive, said:

“The current deficit of affordable housing in our town will become more acute and apparent, as we are now seeing increased demand due to the economic impact of Coronavirus on employment, and the livelihoods of our community.

“Local homelessness needs local solutions and we believe the Clifton Road proposal is a vital part of this picture.

“Opportunities to redevelop a site such as the one at Clifton Road are very rare and we are delighted to have partnered with Worthing Homes to secure more housing for local people.

“Both organisations are committed to investing in our community's long-term housing solutions because everyone should have a place to call home.”