Social Bite lodges plan to move Edinburgh village to Granton seafront

Plans for the relocation, made in consultation with charity partner Cyrenians, will ensure that up to 16 residents, at any one time, who have experienced homelessness will continue to enjoy a stable and supported community way of life, with the bonus of wide views. of The Forth Bridges over the water – a view many past and present residents have enjoyed.

The new location would bring with it a revamp of the Hub, the common area for residents to cook, gather and relax. Additionally, the new site will see the phased introduction of seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Homes’ that have been redesigned and improved following feedback from residents.

Social Bite and charity partner Cyrenians, a homelessness prevention organization that has managed the village since its creation in 2018, have worked closely to ensure that all relocation plans provide a smooth transition for current residents. . Resident feedback also informed the site selection.

The new site is less than a mile along the road and was chosen as an excellent new location after resident research revealed that the area’s local amenities and green spaces were important to those who lived there, allowing them to fulfill their daily tasks, such as shopping. and to work, in addition to the proximity to the charming Granton coastline.

The decision to move from the current site in Granton was prompted by the planned end of the current lease for the land, donated by Edinburgh City Council, with the current location forming part of the first phase of the Granton Waterfront development plans. The lease term was originally four years and was later extended for a further two years.

A key part of Social Bite’s approach, the prefabricated homes are designed so that they can be easily relocated, allowing the charity to utilize an otherwise unoccupied “in-the-middle site”.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, said: “The safety and happiness of our residents always comes first, so we work with those who live in the village and with Cyreneans to ensure they feel safe and have the opportunity to express what they want and need from any move we make.

“The new site we are applying for is a combination of all the best parts of our current position in Granton, with additional green space, sea views and the introduction of some newly designed Nest Houses to meet the needs of our residents . The village is an important part of the North Edinburgh community and will continue to be a vibrant asset to that part of the city. We are hopeful that our planning application will be approved and that we can move forward quickly for the good of the people we provide accommodation for.”

Ewan Aitken, chief executive of Cyrenians, said: “Edinburgh is facing an acute shortage of supported housing for people experiencing homelessness. We are absolutely committed to working with the local authority to secure a new site that will allow us to continue to provide relationship-based support that makes a lasting difference to people facing homelessness in Edinburgh.”

The success of Edinburgh Village serves as a model for other similar projects planned by the charity. Their project offers those living in unsupported temporary accommodation, shelters or B&Bs and who need help breaking the cycle of homelessness, a safe and supportive community to be a part of.

At the end of their time in the village, residents are supported in the transition to permanent housing and employment. So far, Edinburgh Village has helped more than 100 residents, many of whom have gained employment and moved into their own permanent homes.