Hillingdon Council has taken steps to address the housing crisis in the borough, as it plans to repurpose two of its buildings previously designated for sheltered accommodation.
The decision, made during a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Thursday, October 12, involves decommissioning both Yiewsley Court in West Drayton and The Gouldings in Uxbridge, pending planning approval.
The move follows a comprehensive review of the council’s housing situation, which highlighted an excess of homes allocated for older residents. According to the review, 16 percent of the council’s housing stock was dedicated to individuals over the age of 55.
By decommissioning these two buildings and relocating affected residents to suitable alternative accommodation within the borough (pending planning approvals), these sites could be repurposed to cater to the housing needs of priority groups.
The Gouldings, comprising 42 self-contained one-bedroom flats, and Yiewsley Court, with 25 units, could potentially serve as crucial housing for homeless individuals, fulfilling the council’s statutory duty to provide accommodation for those in need. The decision was made after consulting with residents affected by the proposals earlier this year.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at Hillingdon Council, said: “We’re committed to creating a borough with happy, healthy households where residents can thrive.
“So, initiatives like this will helps us ensure that everyone who needs a home has the opportunity to find a good one in our borough, particularly those groups or individuals with more acute needs.
“This is easier said than done in a dense, urban area like west London, so in this instance, we’ve looked at how we can use our provision of sheltered accommodation in a more efficient manner, rather than having buildings under capacity at a time of housing crisis.
“In return, this has freed-up buildings which will provide vital homes for other priority groups.”
