WORK is well underway on a £12.4 million project to convert an old office block into temporary accommodation for homeless people in York.

Robertson Yorkshire and East Midlands is working for City of York Council to refurbish a James House, on James Street, and create 57 new self-contained flats.

The building will mainly used as temporary emergency accommodation for people who suddenly find themselves without a home.

There will be units to suit all sizes of vulnerable households with one, two and three-bedroom flats for families, couples and single people.

Staff will be present on site from 8am to 8pm and outside of these hours there will be two security personnel.

A safe and enclosed courtyard will provide new amenity space, including play equipment and landscaped garden for residents use.

At the front of the building will be staff and resident car parking and secure cycle parking in a new brick building.

Rough sleepers are given support through the council’s resettlement team, Changing Lives and the Salvation Army, and are given short-term accommodation at Arc Light, Peaseholme Centre, Howe Hill and Robinson Court before moving on to shared housing and ultimately independent living.

CLICK HERE FOR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A HOMELESS PERSON SLEEPING ROUGH

In March last year city councillors heard that council staff had negotiated £2.4 million in grants from government body Homes England to help fund the project.

At the time the agency's Karen Anderson said they were pleased to support a well-designed project.

She added: “It is great to see works start on site, after all the effort the council has put in, and I am really looking forward to the doors opening next year, making such a huge difference to peoples’ lives.”

There will be one, two and three bed apartments including 12 duplex and four larger ground floor wheelchair-accessible flats, each with dining/kitchen areas, bathrooms and bedrooms. There will also be a reception area, offices, interview rooms, a meeting room and a training kitchen.