Hotel purchase planned as council faces unprecedented homelessness
Plus: Andrew Brown's guide to what's happening this week
Hello and welcome to the 66th edition of The Southport Lead.
The cost of living crisis has largely disappeared from the headlines but it remains a very real problem - energy, fuel and food costs all continue to rise and for many the strain is simply too much.
Sefton Council is experiencing unprecedented levels of need for its homelessness services, with large numbers of families as well as individuals needing support. It is already working on ways to reduce its reliance on paying for temporary accommodation and now is looking to buy a disused hotel to be repurposed for those in need.
It’s worth making one point very clear here - the plans currently being discussed are in no way linked to asylum seekers and there is no intention from the council for the building to be used that way. Anyone suggesting otherwise is not telling the truth and you should question their motives for wanting people to believe otherwise.
Empty hotel to be repurposed as temporary accommodation amid homelessness crisis
By Jamie Lopez
Sefton Council is planning to buy a disused hotel as part of efforts to meet rising homelessness.
The local authority is facing unseen levels of demand for services and is now looking to purchase the Salfordian Hotel to be repurposed as temporary accommodation.
The hotel, which overlooks Hesketh Park, previously offered short term breaks for people aged over 50, having been built by Salford Council in 1963. It was originally designed to offer respite for the city’s residents and carers but closed down in August 2024.
It is currently advertised for a Property Guardian scheme, in which people can occupy the property on a 28-day rolling contract at low rent, but could soon be bought by the council as it works to meet the “unprecedented levels of presentations of homeless families” which have been seen in recent months.
Separately, the council has recently agreed to change its policy on renting out its own properties to allow more to be used by families moving on from temporary accommodation.
Earlier this year, Sefton approved a £1m funding in its budget for the potential acquisition and refurbishment works of properties deemed to be suitable for the provision of temporary accommodation.
Following an approach from Salford Council, the Salfordian is now being considered for his scheme and a business case will go before the council’s cabinet at a meeting in October.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We are in talks to acquire the The Salfordian Hotel in Southport, which has been a refuge for those most in need for more than sixty years.
“Despite the 48 mile difference, The Salfordian was actually built by Salford Council in 1963 to provide sheltered and safe accommodation for residents and carers, with 24-hour on-call support.
“We were recently approached by Salford Council to see if the local authority were interested in taking over the building, which has the potential to provide temporary accommodation for local households and families most in need in Sefton. This will continue the legacy of the Salfordian, providing a safe and supported environment.
“Sefton Council has a statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness for its residents. Support services are in place for Sefton residents that are housed in temporary accommodation where they can be helped to find a permanent home.
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