Housing Aid, who support the homeless or those threatened with homelessness, will move in to the new Customer Hub at Nottingham City Council’s Loxley House on Monday 20 January.
They will be join Nottingham Revenues and Benefits service, who provide council tax and housing benefit support, who moved in on Monday 13 January on a redeveloped ground floor area to join Jobcentre Plus and Nottingham Futures.
The new Customer Hub will provide a one stop shop for people accessing essential City Council and Jobcentre Plus services in an accessible and friendly environment, including Housing Benefit’s advice, support and assistance to those facing homelessness. The offices will include a new entrance from Trent Street, next to the taxi ranks, to allow quick access to services and free to use PCs.
From Monday, these services will not be provided at Lower Parliament Street. People wanting to access library services can still use Nottingham Central Library at Angel Row.
The relocation of these services will support the long term plans for the redevelopment of Angel Row into Grade A office space once the new Central Library opens at the Broadmarsh Car Park from 2021, and allow the redevelopment of the Housing Aid site into new residential properties.
Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Services, said: “Bringing essential council services like Housing Aid and Revenues and Benefits together with Jobcentre Plus and Nottingham Futures under one roof will make life easier for people who need to access these services. Instead of having to visit two or three sites, this will become a one stop shop where real wrap around support can be provided to the people of Nottingham.
“This is a key council pledge – to make life easier for the public, placing these services in a central location near our excellent public transport in a supportive environment. The relocation of these services also allows us to press on with other key commitments, such as a new Central Library including the best children’s library in the country and more housing in the city centre.”