Construction firm Kier has completed a refurbishment of two Victorian villas for Camden Council to provide emergency temporary accommodation for homeless adults in the borough.

The refurbishment of Camden North Villas was completed in just over six months and has seen a building in poor condition transformed into 38 modern self-contained residential dwellings, including new staff office space and facilities. Camden Council will now use the newly named North Villas Hostel to provide supported accommodation to homeless adults.

The new hostel will provide tailored services to support residents to successfully move on to independent living, and one such service is the new ‘Client Passport’ pilot – thought to be the first pilot of its kind for people who have experienced homelessness. The ‘Client Passport’ will record their details, personal experiences and needs and will reduce the number of times that residents are required to repeat them when they engage with an organisation, such as a healthcare or housing provider.

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Residents at Camden North Villas will also have access to on-site health and wellbeing care as well as dedicated 'Move On' staff who will work closely with them to secure their own housing.

Kier worked alongside the council's Capital Works Team and construction consultants Pellings LLP to deliver the £3m project, clearing and stripping out the property, before designing the refurbishment and carrying out construction.

With 38 modern studio apartment rooms, the hostel provides each resident with their own room that includes a kitchenette and bathroom, helping to prepare them for independent and safe living.

The project was delivered by Kier Places, a Kier business which delivers residential, workplace and building solutions in places where people live and work across the UK.