Work is continuing to progress on a new homelessness centre in Aberdeen.

Earlier this week, work on the exterior construction of the £5m centre was completed, and a topping-out ceremony was held to mark the occasion.

The completion of this phase of work means the building is now fully water and wind tight, allowing the interior fit-out to continue.

Kier Construction is delivering the development on behalf of Aberdeen City Council. The new centre is being created on the site of the former Victoria House and will comprise of a three-storey block with short-term supported accommodation for homeless people, providing 20 bedsits with en-suite shower facilities. Communal facilities will be provided on the ground floor and consist of a kitchen, a laundry, a lounge and staff accommodation. A six-storey block will provide 20 flats, ranging from one to four-bedroom properties, for independent living for homeless people in a secure environment.

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The project is expected to be completed later this year.

Attending the ceremony, Councillor Neil Cooney said: "The City Council's services for homeless people are consistently excellent and are making a huge difference to the lives of so many people who have, through no fault of their own, found themselves without a home.

"This new £5 million pound development, which we believe is the only one of its kind in Scotland, will help us to build upon the huge progress we have made in recent years in getting to grips with the scourge of homelessness and will provide first-class facilities to help us to prevent or alleviate the problem."

Brian McQuade, Managing Director of Kier Construction's Scotland and north-east England business, added: "This is an important day for everyone involved in the planning and the construction of Victoria House. We are proud to be working with Aberdeen City Council on such a significant project, one which will prove life-changing for the homeless, and which has already created local jobs for local people. We anticipate that at its peak 80% of those employed in the construction will have come from the local area - that's great news for the city."

(JP/CD)