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P3 Wolverhampton Centre Officially Named In Mayor's Memory

7 March 2023

A new homelessness support centre in Wolverhampton that is part of P3’s rejuvenation of services in the city has been officially named in the memory of a beloved Mayor.
 
The Peter Bilson House plaque was unveiled in a ceremony attended by current Wolverhampton Mayor Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE and the late Cllr Bilson’s family.
 
Cllr Bilson, who served as Mayor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, was well known across the city for his dedication and determination to support people to exit the streets and deliver the riight support to ensure people could start over.
 
The new property named in his honour, Peter Bilson House, is a purpose-built, council-owned building that is managed by P3 and offers 34 units of accommodation. These include emergency beds for people who move in directly from the streets and longer-term self-contained flats where people can live for up to two years as they find suitable housing.
 
Personalised support will be available to people living in the building, as well as a 24/7 on-site concierge and security presence.
 
The new building forms part of a new contract between the council and P3, which went live on 1 January, which also offers office space for organisations working in partnership with P3 in the city. 
 
Sam Bailey, Head of Support and Community Services in Wolverhampton, said it was “a privilege for us to be able to carry on the legacy of Peter Bilson.
 
“His commitment to our city—ensuring people have access to somewhere to call home–will continue in this new service with the provision of good quality, self-contained accommodation for people and emergency accommodation so people do not have to spend a night on the streets.
 
“Peter Bilson House will also strengthen professional partnerships already established, as we work together under one roof in what will be a multi-agency hub.” 
 
The new building was described as “a fitting legacy” by Council Leader, Cllr Ian Brookfield, who called Cllr Bilson “a man who strove all his life to make a difference to people who needed support.”
 
He added: “I was proud to work alongside Peter for many years and I am thrilled to see his name associated with this important new centre which will continue the great work that was so close to his heart.”
 
Current Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal said it was “a fitting tribute to a great man who did so much for the city”.
 
P3’s other projects in Wolverhampton include our Navigator Hub and outreach services for people who are at risk of losing their home, experiencing homelessness or living on the streets. We also offer floating support advice services for people who live in their own homes.
 
P3 Pathway services offer places to stay for people moving away from homelessness and supported housing for people who need extra support to live in their own tenancy, plus specialised support for women.
 
P3 also has a hospital discharge service that works with people from the point they are admitted to hospital to ensure they are discharged from hospital with dignity and have safe and comfortable accommodation to move into.

 

Image courtesy of City of Wolverhampton Council