The purpose-built development at Almondvale Crescent has been delivered by West Lothian Council in partnership with Hub South East and Ogilvie Construction Ltd and represents an innovative approach to supporting vulnerable young people as they take their first steps towards independent living.
Designed for young people aged 16 to 25, the development provides 28 self-contained one-bedroom flats, giving residents the opportunity to live in their own home with the support of a dedicated team of tenancy support officers available on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sixteen of the flats have also been designed to provide flexibility for future use as mainstream housing, helping to meet future housing needs across West Lothian.
The development includes flexible office space for support staff and overnight accommodation, ensuring support is always available while allowing residents to enjoy privacy and independence in their own homes.
Residents will receive person-centred support tailored to their individual needs, helping them develop the skills, confidence and resilience required to sustain a tenancy and achieve positive outcomes.
This includes support with financial management, benefits, education, training and employment opportunities, housing and resettlement, access to health and wellbeing services, maintaining a safe and secure home and connecting with local community resources. Staff will also provide advocacy, mediation and referrals to specialist agencies where required.
Located close to West Lothian College and the Almondvale Centre, the development benefits from excellent transport links and access to education, training and employment opportunities, helping residents build positive futures within their local community.
Alongside the supported housing provision, the wider project has delivered an additional 20 council homes, including a mix of two and three-bedroom family houses.
The project utilised modern modular construction methods, with housing units manufactured off-site before being transported to Livingston for final assembly and completion.
Executive Councillor for Housing Services, Councillor George Paul, said: "I am delighted to see this important development completed and ready to welcome its first residents.
"Almondvale Crescent represents an exciting new approach to supporting vulnerable young people and providing them with the best possible start to independent adult life.
"This development offers much more than accommodation. Young people will have their own home and front door, while also benefiting from dedicated support to help them develop life skills, access education, training and employment opportunities, and build confidence for the future.
"The completion of these homes demonstrates our ongoing commitment to increasing the supply of high-quality housing and ensuring vulnerable residents receive the support they need to thrive."
Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: "It is great to see the development now ready to welcome new residents. We collaborated closely with West Lothian Council and hub South East Scotland throughout the build programme ensuring successful delivery of high quality homes using innovative modern methods of constriction."
The first residents are expected to move into the development shortly, with support services now preparing to begin operating from the completed facility.
