Published: Thursday 23 January 2025
Vulnerable residents will be able to access supported housing in the heart of Kensington and Chelsea after councillors agreed to buy a 66-bedroom property in Earl’s Court.
The Council’s Leadership Team last night (Wednesday 22 January) approved the purchase of Princess Beatrice House, which will be remodelled to provide modern supported housing in 66 bedrooms, including up to nine wheelchair-accessible units.
The facility would allow residents with medium-to-high-level support needs to develop their skills as they work towards more independent long-term living. The purchase would also reduce the use of expensive, out-of-borough temporary accommodation.
Princess Beatrice House would be purchased from Look Ahead Care & Support, which previously provided supported accommodation at the property on behalf of the Council.
The new plans would provide residents with modern, fit-for-purpose studio accommodation, providing more privacy than the previous configuration of cluster flats with shared living, kitchen and bathroom spaces.
Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said:
“The purchase of Princess Beatrice House will make a genuine difference to some of our most vulnerable residents and protect an essential service in the heart of our borough. Not everyone is in control of the cards they are dealt in life and this Council is here to help people get back on their feet, so they can live independently in the future.
“I am proud to be working to keep this essential service in Kensington and Chelsea, but the fact that providers are having to sell up and councils are stepping in to keep these vital services going highlights how difficult the social housing market is right now.”
The Council currently commissions 11 supported housing services in the borough, providing a total of 453 bedspaces for young people, mothers and babies, domestic abuse survivors, homeless people, and socially excluded people.
A recent review of supported housing by Homeless Link found that Kensington and Chelsea requires 576 bedspaces in order to meet demand.
The Leadership Team’s decision clears the way for the Council to pursue the final stages of the process, with completion of the purchase expected to take place within the coming days.