New supported accommodation for young people will be built in the centre of Livingston following the green light given by the council’s executive.
The £9 million new-build project will occupy a council owned site on Almondvale Crescent close to the town centre and West Lothian College.
A report to the executive by Laura Cameron, capital programme and projects principal at the council’s finance and property services team said: “In October 2022, Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, was approved at council executive this week as the preferred site to deliver this project.
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“Combining the Young Person’s Supported Housing (YPSH) and Affordable Housing as a single project in terms of construction provides efficiencies in both cost and programme."
The YPSH consists of 28 units in total with 16 flats designed to be flexible for future use as mainstream housing. Four of these units will be accessible. The remaining 12 units will be managed with one of these providing accessible accommodation.
The report said: “In addition, flexible space will be provided for a maximum of 10 staff members along with a crash pad to provide staff dedicated space and privacy, whilst still being on hand to assist and support the young people.”
The affordable housing will provide 21 homes with a mix of two and three bedroom houses. All accommodation will have car parking and external spaces in line with planning guidance.
The council executive has agreed to work with partners Hub South East to look at feasibility work on different construction methods to enable the project to be delivered within budget.
An update will be brought back to the council in the Autumn with a recommended option once the feasibility work has been completed.
The proposed new facility is subject to statutory consents being secured, including planning permission. The project should be completed by early 2025.
Depute Leader of the council, Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan said: “I believe it is vital that we continue to support young people who are experiencing hardship and cannot find alternative accommodation. The provision of additional housing is urgently required.
“Officers need to ensure that the solution that delivers best value for the council requires to be developed as part of the design process.”
“The site we have chosen is close to amenities with the college, hospital, transport and shopping facilities all within walking distance. These are all important factors in choosing a site that is specifically designed to help young people in need.”
In the meantime the council will develop “ shared space” accommodation to alleviate the numbers of young people forced to stay in B&B accommodation.
An additional 30 buy back of two bedroom former council homes has been approved.
These will be converted into shared accommodation of 60 spaces which offer separate, private bedrooms, with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
The plan is reliant on availability of suitable, affordable properties in acceptable condition being on the market.
Upon the opening of the new accommodation block in Livingston, these will be returned for mainstream stock.
The shared spaces are managed by staff within the Housing Need in Accommodation Team and support staff. To date there have been four shared spaced homes completed with seven more under offer.
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