A newly restored facility in Stowmarket is set to more than double the amount of council-funded homeless accommodation in Mid Suffolk.

Ipswich Star: The refurbished building will be officially opened on September 10 Picture: MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILThe refurbished building will be officially opened on September 10 Picture: MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL (Image: MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL)

The Foyer on Hill Rise, previously owned by Flagship Housing, has been purchased and repaired by Mid Suffolk District Council (MSDC) in an effort to transform the site into a place of security for vulnerable people.

The facility, which has been unused for over a year, will now provide accommodation for 17 struggling families and individuals while the council investigates their housing requirements.

The Foyer will provide a mix of single, double and twin rooms and enables the council to avoid overcrowding by placing larger families in more than one room.

The council claims that the location and capacity of the building will allow more families to remain in the area and gives children the option to be in close proximity to their school.

MSDC hopes that this, in turn, will help to reduce the amount of stress placed on families without a stable home.

The scheme will provide accommodation for local people in need who meet certain criteria from September.

Jill Wilshaw, MSDC’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The restored Foyer building will be a great asset to the local community and will increase our ability to provide accommodation to vulnerable families and individuals.”

“Being homeless or under the threat of homelessness is distressing for any family and to remain in the area you know helps.

“Our focus remains on preventing homelessness in Mid Suffolk over the provision of temporary accommodation.”

John Matthissen, opposition Green group councillor and representative for the Onehouse ward at MSDC, said he was pleased to hear the news.

“It’s very welcome and long overdue,” he said.

“Hopefully it will almost eliminate the use of B&Bs in Ipswich, which is far less satisfactory in so many ways.

“It’s good to see that it’s actually now about to be put into use.”

Ms Wilshaw, along with ward councillors and members of Mid Suffolk’s Homelessness Team ,will be opening The Foyer on Monday, September 10 at 10am.

The address is 29-37 Hill Rise, Stowmarket IP14 2HB.