Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, in partnership with RHA Wales, secured funding from Welsh Government’s Phase 2 Homelessness Capital programme to construct much-needed residential accommodation specifically to meet the needs of young people in our communities who may need access to a supported living scheme.

The project is located in Hughes Street, Tonypandy, with easy access to the nearby town centre and local amenities. The scheme will deliver 4 x 1-bedroom self-contained studio apartments on the lower and upper ground floors and staff accommodation on the first floor. The scheme will be managed by Hafan Cymru who specialise in providing support to younger people.

The scheme was initially given planning approval in Autumn 2020. However, due to the pandemic and the impact on supply chains, work was required to be delayed, and is due for completion in early 2023.

Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health & Communities, said: “This is an incredibly important scheme which provides solutions to a number of issues.

“Firstly, we are providing a warm, safe and stable home for some of our most vulnerable residents, who will also have ongoing support to help them navigate living independently.

“Secondly, a previously uninhabitable building which has long been a blight on the community has a new lease of life. Empty properties are such a waste and add nothing to the communities in which they are located.

“It’s fantastic to see Rhondda Cynon Taf Council once again working with RHA Wales to bring a previous empty property back into use.”

The innovative scheme will be built using Modern Methods of Construction and costs are estimated to be £722,000, of which RHA Wales have received £411,000 of the Phase 2 Homeless programme funding, and the remaining £311,000 being financed by RHA Wales.