HOMELESS families from Kingston currently staying in B&Bs outside the borough could soon be re-housed, after the council stepped up plans to convert a sheltered housing block in north Kingston.

Kingston Council is consulting on plans to convert Roupell House, in Florence Road, into temporary accommodation for homeless families while they apply for help from council services.

It estimates the block, which has been used to house elderly residents in the past, could house up to 26 homeless families.

As of February this year, three people were living in Roupell House, though Kingston Council said they had now been moved into new homes.

Cllr Cathy Roberts, cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “With minimal work, the accommodation at Roupell House will provide temporary housing for homeless families in Kingston, instead of staying in a bed and breakfast outside of the borough.”

Built in the 1970s, the building is considered by the council to no longer provide “appropriate housing” for older people for reasons including having no lifts. Vacancies in the block have not been let for the last nine years.

The Adult’s and Children’s Committee decided in February to convert the housing block, with a final decision on the plans to be made “in due course”.

Consultations began in April, with 1,500 letters sent to addresses near the site, Kingston Council said.

A drop-in session for residents to air their views on the scheme was also held at St Luke’s Church, in Burton Road, on Monday evening.

Josephine Carter, 41, of Clifton Road, said: “I feel clearly there is a need for temporary accommodation in Kingston. I don’t know whether or not Roupell House is the right place.

“We wanted to find out more information about the proposals and that was it, but now I’m kind of confused. I’m unsure as to what really the impact is.”

One resident, who did not want to be named and lives next to the housing block, said: “We arrived near Roupell House 17 years ago needing housing.

“I’ve been lucky because I’ve got a flat, those people haven’t and they’ve got to go somewhere. I don’t want to see parents with children homeless. I’m just concerned that my privacy is going to be invaded, nothing else.”

There are already four temporary accommodation schemes in the borough.