THE Vale of Glamorgan Council has built 11 units of temporary accommodation as part of a £20-million Welsh Government plan to tackle homelessness.

Taking the form of high-spec bungalows, the development at Court Road in Barry is believed to be the first of its type in Wales.

It has been created to help address an increase in homelessness caused by the coronavirus pandemic and reduce reliance on emergency accommodation.

Tenants have already started moving into properties, which use high-quality insulated panels to create self-contained units that consist of a lounge/diner/kitchen area, separate single or double bedroom and an en-suite shower room.

They are eco-friendly, feature small-decked areas to help create a community environment as well as a section of public space, a car park and bike store.

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Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Building Services, Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, said: "Since the coronavirus crisis struck, we have helped hundreds of people affected by homelessness by providing additional units of emergency accommodation in hotels and B&Bs to ensure that nobody is without a home or a safe place to stay.

"That is in addition to the 148 units of existing temporary accommodation the Council normally provides.

"With the grip of the pandemic loosening, it is important that the support on offer to those that find themselves without a home doesn’t also decrease.

"These bungalows demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to households who become homeless, providing them with safe, modern, comfortable places to stay while permanent long-term solutions are identified. Further similar projects are also in the pipeline."