Former Swansea police station turned into 68‑room homeless accommodation

A Grade II‑listed building once home to Swansea Central Police Station has been completely renovated to provide safe, supported accommodation for people with nowhere else to go.

The site — now known as Llys Glas — includes 68 individual rooms spread across several floors, with shared kitchens, en‑suite bathrooms, communal areas and round‑the‑clock support for residents. Many of those moving in are dealing with health issues or have recently been released from prison.

The project is a partnership between Swansea Council and social housing landlord Codi, formerly known as Pobl. Codi has owned the building since 2003 and had been using it as student accommodation until recently.

The council says the new development will help reduce its heavy reliance on bed and breakfast rooms, which has surged since the pandemic and been made worse by the cost‑of‑living crisis and a shortage of affordable housing across the city.

Grant funding from the Welsh Government has enabled the conversion to go ahead.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said:

“I’m very impressed with the renovation and the hard work everyone has done to get us to this stage. I also want to thank Welsh Government for providing funding for this development. Without them, this would not have been possible.

“We have a growing number of residents in Swansea who are very much in need of this type of temporary accommodation, where they can get the support they need, along with the reassurance of a safe place to live.

“This will be where many of the tenants can work towards getting themselves in a better and more positive place, preparing for a move into more permanent accommodation and improving their lives.”

Andrew Vye, Executive Director – Customer and Community at Codi, said:

“We have an excellent relationship with Swansea Council, working closely in partnership on key projects right across the city, and are pleased to be able to assist their efforts to the supply of homes for homeless people.

“Housing is at the heart of everything. The security a suitable environment provides can allow those who have experienced homelessness to get back on their feet.

“Homelessness continues to be a challenge across Wales and can impact anyone. We are committed to working in partnership with local authorities to offer solutions.”

The council has opened several new schemes in recent years to ease pressure on emergency accommodation, including 24 units at Ty Tom Jones in partnership with Codi, four temporary pods at Bryn House in Uplands, and family flats in Penlan.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea student block could become homeless accommodation under new plans
A major city centre building could be repurposed to help meet rising demand for temporary housing.

Homeless Swansea artist finds his spark thanks to Business Wales
A local artist rebuilds his life with support that helps him turn creativity into opportunity.

Animal charity teams up with accommodation provider to support homeless dog owners
A new partnership ensures people experiencing homelessness don’t have to give up their pets.

Kind‑hearted local fashion lecturer knits 365 hats for Swansea’s homeless
A year‑long act of generosity provides warmth and support to people living on the streets.

Swansea student block could become homeless accommodation under new plans

A prominent six‑storey building on St Helen’s Road could soon switch from student flats to temporary supported accommodation, with councillors set to decide the application on Tuesday 13 January.

Pobl Homes & Communities has applied to convert the Boutique Student Living complex — the former Sun Alliance House office block — into 76 self‑contained studios for people needing secure, short‑term housing with on‑site support.

Office block turned student flats now facing another change

The building was originally constructed as offices before plans were first lodged in 2017 to convert it into student accommodation. Those proposals did not progress at the time, and a fresh application was brought forward in 2021, leading to the building’s eventual conversion into an 80‑unit purpose‑built student accommodation (PBSA).

Now, less than five years after the student scheme was finally delivered, the building’s use is set to change again.

The new proposal would repurpose the studios for residents moving on from homelessness, with internal alterations only and no changes to the building’s external appearance or height.

24/7 management and on‑site support

The scheme would be jointly managed by Pobl and Swansea Council, with a 24/7 staff presence, controlled access and a detailed operational plan covering safeguarding, visitor management and incident reporting.

Planning officers say the building’s central location, existing layout and car‑free set‑up make it suitable for the new use. Their report recommends approval, subject to conditions and a revised Section 106 agreement.

Decision due next week

The application will be considered by the council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday 13 January 2026.

More housing and planning news

New homes completed at former student village site in Swansea
Major redevelopment delivers new housing on the former student village site.

Marina student flats to become social housing
Plans approved to convert unused student units in Swansea Marina into social housing.

New student accommodation plans for empty St Helen’s Road offices
Fresh proposals lodged to turn vacant offices on St Helen’s Road into student flats.

Disabled and Vulnerable Residents Endure Poor Conditions in Temporary Housing

Residents with limited mobility living in temporary accommodation at the Waterloo Hub Hotel in London have been forced to endure poor conditions, including sleeping in the lobby due to broken lifts. The accommodation, managed under the care of Camden and Westminster councils, houses people who are h... [More info]

From Swansea’s streets to site work: Dean rebuilds his future through housing project

Dean, 44, is currently working on the refurbishment of a donated property in Swansea as part of a placement with Cii Construction’s Community Impact Initiative. The project, run in partnership with homelessness charity The Wallich, offers people with lived experience of homelessness the chance to gain new skills and rebuild confidence through hands-on work.

“I used to be a roofer,” said Dean. “But after everything, I’ve been looking for a way to get back into working in the trades and seeing where it takes me. This has been great just to get back into a routine and get a bit more confidence.”

Dean quickly became a valued member of the team, taking on tasks from wall repairs to garden clearance. His tutor, Rajesh Joshi, said:

“From day one, Dean got stuck into the work. Our team were impressed with his attitude and willingness to learn. Over the course of the placement, he built his confidence, developed new skills, and left with a clearer idea of what he’d like to do next.”

The house Dean is helping to renovate is one of two donated to The Wallich by retired professors Valerie and Chris Norris. The couple, aged 71 and 77, decided to gift the properties after reassessing their finances and seeing the charity’s CEO speak on television.

“We knew how much help homeless people need,” said Valerie. “We hit upon the audacious idea of buying a house for those in need… We’re especially impressed that the Community Impact Initiative will undertake some of the refurbishment work, thereby doubling its beneficial effect.”

The homes will become part of The Wallich’s Swansea ‘Alternative to Bed and Breakfast Accommodation’ (ABBA) scheme, which provides short-term emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness.

With temporary accommodation in short supply across Wales, ABBA offers a more stable and dignified alternative to traditional B&B placements, helping residents transition into permanent housing.

Mike Bobbett, Director of Business Innovation at The Wallich, said:

“This project is the perfect example of a community response to homelessness. From the generosity of providing bricks and mortar by Val and Chris, to using the refurbishment as an opportunity for social mobility, to using the housing to tackle Wales’s housing crisis.

Dean is an inspiration and has been working so hard with us to move forward into his next chapter. This is what it’s all about.”

To learn more about The Wallich’s work, visit thewallich.com.

#bedAndBreakfast #CiiConstruction #homeless #homelessness #housing #Swansea #temporaryAccommodation #TheWallich

Former Haverfordwest school site could be used for modular homeless accommodation

The ex-school site at Augustine Way, Haverfordwest could also include units to help relieve one-bed pressures, including accessible/wheelchair friendly accommodation or for those having to move out if urgent refurbishments are needed on council houses.

Pembrokeshire Council says that demand for one-bedroom accommodation remains high in the county, with more than 2,000 people on the housing list for this type of home and single person households make up the majority of homeless cases. The council says it also heavily relies on temporarily accommodating our homeless in local B&Bs.

The council says that the potential to utilise Welsh Government funding towards develop this ‘meanwhile site’ will make a significant impact on reducing the current annual cost of temporary accommodation such as B&B and hostels.

Up to 30 units of accommodation, phased over two years, could be developed on the site, which would be similar in style to similar developments in other Welsh towns and cities, with support for residents available on site.

A similar, but smaller, eight pod development has been used at Hubberston for a number of years, with the authority saying that the new plans are just part of the Council’s build programme and investment in new housing for Pembrokeshire residents.  

“There is an ongoing need to provide suitable temporary accommodation for people faced with homelessness while supporting them to find a permanent home. Following discussion at Cabinet on July 7th, if approved, the next stage will include engagement with the local community,” said Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman.

#CllrMichelleBateman #Haverfordwest #homeless #homelessness #PembrokeshireCouncil #temporaryAccommodation

Councillors welcome planned investment of £2million in temporary and rough sleeper accommodation

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/04/12/councillors-welcome-planned-investment-of-2million-in-temporary-and-rough-sleeper-accommodation/

A theme for this week's #FOIFriday: what about #FOI requests that take other major stories in a new direction.

What has happened to the Ukrainian refugees who have become homeless?

Or how much those caught up in the collapse of FTX have reported as losses to the police.

https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/01/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-13-1-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #FTX #Cryptocurrency #Ukraine #housing #TemporaryAccommodation #Homelessness