New specialist accommodation service to help prevent rough sleeping in West Northants
20 November 2025
A new specialist supported accommodation service providing vital support for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping is set to open at St John’s House in Northampton - separate to the St John's Halls of Residence used by the University. The service, which is set to open this month, forms a key part of the Council’s work to prevent and reduce rough sleeping and will offer wraparound support, including help with drug and substance misuse, mental health needs, and trauma-informed care.
The new 27-bed temporary accommodation will provide a safe, stable place for people who have been sleeping rough or are at imminent risk of homelessness, offering a short-term base while they prepare for longer-term housing. Residents will have private rooms with shared kitchens, bathrooms, and communal areas, supported by 24-hour on-site staff.
St John’s will play an important role in breaking the cycle of rough sleeping in our communities. This service goes beyond simply providing a bed - it delivers tailored, person-centred support to help residents regain stability and progress towards independent living. This includes help with managing finances, accessing healthcare, developing essential life skills, and connecting with wider community support.Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities
By bringing partners together and offering a trauma-informed environment, this service will not only provide safe accommodation, but the personalised, practical and emotional support that people need to rebuild their independence and give them the best possible chance of achieving long-term, stable housing.
A dedicated multi-disciplinary team will deliver the service, including support workers and specialist leads in mental health, substance misuse, women’s support, migrant support, adult social care, and lived-experience-informed Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFSE) partners. This is a pilot service and will initially run for one year, operating separately from the nearby student accommodation.
The team will provide trauma-informed, psychologically aware support to help residents overcome challenges such as mental ill health, substance use, and past trauma. The service will be led by WNC’s Rough Sleeping Support Team (RSST), which provides mobile, wraparound help for people moving away from sleeping on the streets.
Residents will also receive support to:
• Develop personalised housing plans
• Access healthcare, welfare benefits, training, and employment
• Build financial confidence and manage budgets
• Improve wellbeing and connect with their community
• Develop independent living skills to sustain long-term accommodation
The service forms part of WNC’s wider commitment to prevent homelessness, support recovery, and ensure people are not left sleeping on the streets. It will also help reduce social isolation, prevent crises, and avoid the need for more intensive health and social care interventions.
St John’s will operate as an inclusive service with no blanket exclusions and will work in partnership with a wide range of agencies, including the NHS, Public Health, Probation Service, Police, faith, community & voluntary sector groups, and local housing providers.
Find out more information about homelessness support in West Northamptonshire.