Families have started moving into Abbey Lodge, just in time for Christmas.
This new temporary housing provision, purchased by the Council for £12.5m in July 2024, will help to address the city’s unprecedented housing needs, offer better quality accommodation for families, and significantly reduce costs.
The former student village, following the completion of its first phase, now provides 46 secure and sustainable flats for families in need of temporary accommodation, a vast improvement on expensive and unsustainable accommodation such as Airbnbs and bed-and-breakfasts.
46 families are now settled into Abbey Lodge ready for Christmas, with access to their own kitchens, living spaces, and areas for children to study and play.
The redevelopment allows families to have the stability that they need to rebuild their lives, offering them a permanent address to access important services such as banking, schools, and employment.
Abbey Lodge also offers residents easy access to the city centre and public transport links allowing them to remain connected to the city.
A new resident at Abbey Lodge said:
It's going to be so nice to be somewhere settled before Christmas for the kids.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning, and Regulatory Services, said:
I am thrilled to see the completion of the first phase of Abbey Lodge. This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to tackle the unprecedented demand for housing that Derby faces.
We want to make sure everyone in Derby has the support and care they need to thrive, and it’s great to see that 46 families are now settled in and are ready to celebrate Christmas in safe and secure accommodation.
Abbey Lodge allows these families to regain their independence, especially children who will now have areas to study and play. Families will also now have access to a permanent address which will allow them to focus on their futures.
I am incredibly proud of the work our teams have done to make Abbey Lodge a reality for families who need temporary accommodation. With more flats to come, this redevelopment will ensure we have a financially viable housing option for even more residents. We will continue to look into ways of meeting the demand for housing in Derby.
With phase 1 now complete, plans for phase 2 are underway. The next stage will see Abbey Lodge expand to a total of 95 flats with a mix of two-, three-, and six-bedroom flats to accommodate more families. Work on the site is expected to begin in spring 2025 with completion expected by the end of 2027.