Kidderminster short-term accommodation site works start

Wyre Forest District Council is building the facility on the corner of Castle Road and New Road in Kidderminster.

When it's open, the site is set to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people while the council works with them to secure a more permanent home.

The local authority is working with project managers Hive Projects and construction company Stepnell to deliver the 20 new accommodation units.

The three-storey building will have a shared kitchen diner and lounge areas on all floors and an outside space for residents, as well as an office space and parking.

It's being built on the site of the former council-owned Castle Road car park.

Patrick O'Neill of WT Partnership, councillor Ian Hardiman, and Mark Baker and Paul Fish from Stepnell (Image: Wyre Forest District Council)

The building work is likely to take around 12 months, with the project expected to be completed in early 2025.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for housing, health and wellbeing, described the start of the works as a "crucial milestone."

He said: "We are focusing on supporting individuals into permanent housing and creating positive impacts within communities".

Adrian Barnes, regional director of Stepnall, said: “This scheme will provide much-needed residential space for the community addressing the need for short term accommodation".

Patrick Hickey, associate director at Hive Projects added: “We are thrilled to be working with Wyre Forest District Council, and Stepnell on such a valuable and socially important project. This scheme, with its focus on providing short-term accommodation, is poised to make a meaningful difference to the lives of those it directly impacts.”