Discussions of possibly transforming a garage site into move-on homes for ex-rough sleepers in Watford have been put on hold.

Councillors were set to discuss the possible funding of redeveloping the Balmoral Road Garage site in North Watford in a cabinet meeting on Monday (June 7).

However during the meeting, the agenda was set aside and not discussed.

For now Watford Borough Council is unable to explain why it was not discussed, but it is understood the proposal will not go forward for the time being.

The proposal suggested that 15 one-bedroom homes could be built at the site to accommodate ex-rough sleepers who were assisted through Watford’s Single Homeless Pathway.

Had it been approved, there could have been 11 parking spaces implemented, and the homes could have been used for single people on low incomes if no longer needed for ex-rough sleepers.

The garages at Balmoral Road are now disused (Photo: Street View)

The garages at Balmoral Road are now disused (Photo: Street View)

The project was dependent on a £2,588,667 bid from Home England, with a over £1million funding from One YMCA and £291,000 funding from the council.

The proposed site has been vacant since 2017, with garages already demolished.

As it stands, there are currently 300 bed spaces to help with supported accommodation for rough sleepers and other vulnerable groups in Watford.

There are also 34 similar units being built at One YMCA’s Charter House.

Recently, Watford Borough Council received £581,817 from the government to help support rough sleepers and Mayor Peter Taylor stated that it will help fund One YMCA, New Hope and other local organisations.

When asked where the money will specifically go towards, a spokesperson from Watford Borough Council has revealed it will also fund an outreach service of five workers and 25 emergency accommodation bed spaces for one night of sleep, and the continuation of the council’s rough sleeper co-ordinator post.

There has been active work in Watford to accommodate and support rough sleepers, particularly since the wake of the pandemic.

But recently Watford’s New Hope has issued a warning that they are expecting evictions to rise after a ban ended this month.