Ray House, a new supported accommodation development for homeless people with complex needs, has completed in Northampton.

West Northamptonshire Council secured funding through Homes England and MHCLG Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme to aid refurbishment of an existing accommodation building. The programme’s aim is to provide specialist supported housing that considers the needs of people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping holistically, ensuring access to support and opportunities, as well as a place to stay.

We have worked closely with the council to ensure the design of Ray House genuinely responds to user and operator needs. The scope of the project included a refurbishment of the entire building which was internally reconfigured to accommodate 20 high-quality self-contained units. Each flat will benefit from its own lounge, kitchen, shower room and bedroom. Additionally, residents will have access to thoughtfully designed shared spaces to support the wider focus of the service as well as a garden for residents to enjoy.

A crucial element of the scheme was to ensure its longevity within the community. The existing building benefitted from improvements to the thermal performance of the fabric through the introduction of external wall insulation, significantly reducing heat loss and energy demand. Combined with the transition to an all-electric operational strategy, these measures have enhanced occupant comfort, reduced operational carbon emissions and improved the building’s EPC rating from D to A, helping to future-proof the asset for years to come.

We have worked closely with the council to ensure the design of Ray House genuinely responds to user and operator needs. The scope of the project included a refurbishment of the entire building which was internally reconfigured to accommodate 20 high-quality self-contained units. Each flat will benefit from its own lounge, kitchen, shower room and bedroom. Additionally, residents will have access to thoughtfully designed shared spaces to support the wider focus of the service as well as a garden for residents to enjoy.

A crucial element of the scheme was to ensure its longevity within the community. The existing building benefitted from improvements to the thermal performance of the fabric through the introduction of external wall insulation, significantly reducing heat loss and energy demand. Combined with the transition to an all-electric operational strategy, these measures have enhanced occupant comfort, reduced operational carbon emissions and improved the building’s EPC rating from D to A, helping to future-proof the asset for years to come.

Tom Jagger, Project Partner at GSSArchitecture, has commented: “This project has been centred around creating a safe, sustainable and supportive environment for some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals. Working closely with West Northamptonshire Council and Steele & Bray, we have carefully reconfigured and refurbished the existing building to create high-quality accommodation that not only provides immediate support, but also helps foster independence and long-term wellbeing.”

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The completion of Ray House is a major step forward in our efforts to support people experiencing homelessness and those with complex needs across West Northamptonshire.

“This much-needed development provides high-quality, self-contained accommodation alongside dedicated communal spaces and access to tailored support, helping some of our most vulnerable residents to rebuild their lives, develop independence and achieve positive long-term outcomes.”

Alongside West Northamptonshire Council, we have worked closely with main contractor Steele & Bray, alongside Blackwell, Expert MEP and Gleeds, to successfully deliver the project. The development reflects the practice’s wider expertise in affordable and supported accommodation, with a strong focus on creating sustainable, community-focused environments that respond to genuine local need. GSSArchitecture is also currently on-site delivering Freemans Green for Luton Borough Council, a scheme providing much-needed large family housing for the area.

Tom Jagger, Project Partner at GSSArchitecture, has commented: “This project has been centred around creating a safe, sustainable and supportive environment for some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals. Working closely with West Northamptonshire Council and Steele & Bray, we have carefully reconfigured and refurbished the existing building to create high-quality accommodation that not only provides immediate support, but also helps foster independence and long-term wellbeing.”

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The completion of Ray House is a major step forward in our efforts to support people experiencing homelessness and those with complex needs across West Northamptonshire.

“This much-needed development provides high-quality, self-contained accommodation alongside dedicated communal spaces and access to tailored support, helping some of our most vulnerable residents to rebuild their lives, develop independence and achieve positive long-term outcomes.”

Alongside West Northamptonshire Council, we have worked closely with main contractor Steele & Bray, alongside Blackwell, Expert MEP and Gleeds, to successfully deliver the project. The development reflects the practice’s wider expertise in affordable and supported accommodation, with a strong focus on creating sustainable, community-focused environments that respond to genuine local need. GSSArchitecture is also currently on-site delivering Freemans Green for Luton Borough Council, a scheme providing much-needed large family housing for the area.