Social Bite approved for village project in Lanarkshire

The South Lanarkshire Council has given the green light to the homelessness charity, Social Bite, for their latest village project in Rutherglen. This project aims to address the increasing demand for temporary housing and support services for the homeless population. The village will be built on a brownfield site on Harriet Street and will feature 15 modern, sustainable modular homes called Nest houses, along with a vibrant community hub.

Social Bite’s goal is to create a supportive environment that empowers residents to transition out of homelessness by providing essential on-site support services and confidence-building activities. With over 39,000 applications for homelessness assistance in Scotland in 2022-2023, the need for innovative solutions like the Social Bite Village is more pressing than ever.

Following the success of the Edinburgh Social Bite Village, which has already helped over 100 individuals find permanent housing, the charity is now looking to replicate this model in Rutherglen. The upcoming village project will undergo a community consultation stage and will seek planning permission, with the construction set to begin in autumn 2025.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, the founder of Social Bite, highlighted the importance of community collaboration in combating homelessness. He expressed his gratitude to the South Lanarkshire Council for their support and stressed the transformative nature of the Social Bite Village model. With a focus on creating a positive impact on the local community, the charity aims to involve residents in the planning process through upcoming public consultations.

The proposed village will not only provide housing but also offer a range of support services and activities to promote personal growth and wellbeing. The community hub will be surrounded by beautiful landscaping and an outdoor gym facility, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among the residents.

Sharon Egan, the South Lanarkshire Council’s head of housing services, expressed excitement about the partnership with Social Bite and the potential benefits it brings to the community. The project will not only provide energy-efficient modular housing but also create training and employment opportunities for those facing homelessness.

In addition to the Rutherglen project, Social Bite is also actively involved in tackling drug and alcohol-related issues in Dundee with plans for a Recovery Village underway. These initiatives demonstrate the charity’s commitment to addressing social issues and creating positive change in communities across Scotland.