Havant Borough Council has been granted planning consent to refurbish 54 Stockheath Road, the former Fawnhope Rest Home, to provide much-needed temporary accommodation for local people in housing need.
The property was purchased by the council in 2024 with a clear purpose: to convert it into self-contained accommodation that enables local people facing housing difficulties to remain within the borough while they await a permanent home.
Temporary accommodation costs place a significant financial burden on councils across the country, including Havant. When suitable accommodation is not available locally, councils can be forced to rely on expensive short-term options, sometimes outside the borough. This can lead to increased costs and unnecessary disruption for local residents.
By investing in council-owned temporary accommodation, Havant Borough Council will reduce its reliance on costly emergency placements and make better use of public funds. Reducing these pressures will allow savings to be redirected towards other essential frontline services that benefit residents across the borough.
Refurbishment works at 54 Stockheath Road are expected to begin in the coming months. Once complete, the accommodation will provide safe, high-quality, and well-managed temporary homes that offer stability and dignity to local households during a difficult period.
The project forms part of the council’s wider strategy to increase the supply of temporary accommodation for local people, reduce pressure on emergency housing placements, and ensure residents with a connection to Havant can remain within the community they know and rely on.
Councillor Amy Redsull, Cabinet Lead for Housing at Havant Borough Council, said: “This investment is about supporting local people when they need us most. By providing high-quality temporary accommodation here in Havant, we can keep households close to their support networks while also reducing the significant costs associated with temporary housing. That means public money is used more effectively and savings can be reinvested into other vital frontline services that our residents depend on.”
To view a two-minute in-depth walk around the inside of the property visit our YouTube channel.
Further updates will be shared as the refurbishment progresses.