Plan to refurbish Salvation Army cottages to house families in crisis

Wednesday 08 February 2023

The Salvation Army has put forward plans to refurbish unused cottages at the rear of its Minden Street base to provide temporary housing for families in crisis "to help give them a safe starting point from which to build their futures".

If planning approval is granted, the charity will convert the cottages and floors above its shop to create three units - one one-bed maisonette, one two-bed house, and one three-bed house - to accommodate different family sizes and dynamics.

Pictured: Unit 1 - a two-bedroom house - is already an unused residential property, but will be refurbished as part of the development. (Godel Architects)

Documents submitted as part of the planning application explain that the "need for all types of housing accommodation in Jersey has never been greater".

If approved, they say that the housing provision "will be underpinned by the wider holistic support of The Salvation Army", including the appointment of a support worker based on the premises to provide all necessary support.

Pictured: Unit 2 is an "upside down" one-bedroom maisonette with the bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor, and the combined kitchen/living/work/dining area on the first floor. (Godel Architects)

Through a multi-agency approach, it is hoped that the new units will allow families in need the time and space to gain the skills they need to move forward into permanent, secure, and long-term accommodation.

Pictured: Unit 3 is a three-bedroom house, designed to accommodate a family of four. (Godel Architects)

The accommodation units will be neutrally-decorated to allow each family to bring some of their own possessions to make it 'home', however the essential furnishings will be provided by the charity.

The application also outlines plans for a substantial wall mural created as part of a school or community project, or by a local artist.

Pictured: The three units will surround a central courtyard, which the charity hopes will provide "inspiring external amenity space" which is "hidden away from the 'hustle and bustle' of the busy town centre. (Godel Architects)

Although the Salvation Army recognises that "the provision of three supported housing units will not solve the family housing crisis in Jersey", the charity says it is hopeful that this initiative will provide a "new model of for the provision of supported housing, which emphasises that this is more than just a place to stay, but also provides a caring and supportive environment for families who face not just housing and financial trials but also other challenges which may prevent them from building a safe and secure future for their family in Jersey".