A former care home that closed in 2020 has reopened as temporary accommodation for homeless people.

Alton House in Sunrise Avenue, Hornchurch, has seen residents move into its new 19-unit housing facility.

A spokesperson for Grosvenor Hill, which bought the property, said it partnered with Havering Council and a care provider to offer a “state-of-the-art” accommodation that includes “expansive communal areas and ample staff space”.

The facility, they said, began operating in December after spending a year seeking planning permission to revamp it and another to make the internal alterations.

The spokesperson added that the property is now nearly at full capacity due to a high demand.

Read More: Royal Jubilee Court, Romford, set to be homeless centre

The building was previously a care home for 15 older Havering residents diagnosed with dementia.

It was put in special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after it was rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors in October 2018. During a follow-up inspection in January 2020, CQC found that the required level of improvements had not been made.

The report published in March 2020 raised concerns about the systems and processes in place at the care home to safeguard people from abuse. CQC also found residents had their property stolen and misused.

The care home closed in the same month, with the building put on sale.

The spokesperson for Grosvenor Hill clarified that it had nothing to do with the management of the previous care home, and the homeless facility is now run by Havering Council in collaboration with a service provider.