The refurbishment of a large house, designed to provide emergency accommodation for people threatened with homelessness, is nearing completion.
The property in Horsefair, Chipping Norton is being converted into a five bedroom hostel with shared facilities and has a self-contained basement flat while the garden area is also being given a major clean-up.
The move is designed to help prevent residents from being forced to move into bed and breakfast accommodation outside the District while a suitable longer term property is found.
Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for Housing Management, said:
“Preventing homelessness is a key strategy. We have a dedicated officer post working with people at risk, and we formally link with the prison and health service as they have a duty to refer any potential homelessness cases to us.
“This facility gives us a valuable resource which will ensure residents at risk of homelessness are given somewhere to live as well as some valuable breathing space so they can make arrangements for a permanent local housing solution.
“We believe we now have more than adequate capacity to deal with homelessness within the district and may be able to help other authorities within the county if required.”
Last weekend saw a team from the Thames Valley Community Rehabilitation Company, which involves individuals serving sentences by working in the community, working to clear the garden.
Furniture for the accommodation will also be sourced from the Emmaus Homelessness charity. It is hoped the work will be completed by next month.
The Council generally has about five households in emergency accommodation at any one time with occupation averaging 28 days.
As a result, the property is expected to be fully occupied at all times.