A TOWN centre building could be bought by the borough council, to protect the key services it provides to those at risk of homelessness.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council wants to purchase Maritime House, in New Road, Basingstoke, to use the building to continue its work to end rough sleeping and prevent homelessness.

The building, which is thought to be valued at £202,000, currently provides a base for a specialist outreach service, Julian House, which offers support and help on behalf of the council to people sleeping rough.

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Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is looking to buy Maritime House (Image: Basingstoke Makerspace) The owner now wants to sell the building and the borough council is hoping to buy it to protect the town centre location which works well for the service, allowing staff to go out and talk to people who are homeless or meet with them at the building.

The borough council’s decision-making cabinet is expected to make a decision at its meeting on Tuesday, September 10, allowing the current organisations based there to stay while the council explores options for how the building could best support its work to prevent homelessness.

Cabinet member for residents’ services and housing Cllr Laura James said: “We have committed to using our resources to improve the standards of our homelessness support facilities, as part of our Council Plan and Housing and Homelessness Strategy.

“By seizing the opportunity to buy this building, which is in a key town centre location, well served by public transport and already at the centre of delivering outreach services for the most vulnerable members of our community, we are putting those words into action.

“Owning this building would also give us exciting opportunities to explore how we can continue to improve the range and level of co-ordinated support for those who need it, alongside our partners.”