The council have announced that they will be providing safe homes for those in emergency need during the coronavirus.

In a statement from the council, the said:

"We've been working with partners, charities and businesses to kit out with furniture and essential items some of the new affordable homes that we had built for local people, but that had not yet been let or sold when the lockdown came into force.

"Each new home has been carpeted and provided with beds, bedding, cooking equipment, towels, oven, kitchen equipment, fridge-freezer, washing machine, sofa, table and chairs and small TV.

"Enough for people to move in quickly and be able to look after themselves during this time of social distancing and self-isolation.

"Households will be supported if they need assistance in accessing medication or food supplies."

The homes will be allocated to those in emergency need of housing, including for example families that had previously been living in bed and breakfast accommodation with shared facilities – where it was critical that they had somewhere safe to isolate themselves and reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus.

The council also says that the project 'may provide' emergency accommodation for the homeless.

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for homes Andrew Mitchell said:

"This is a great example of businesses, charities and individuals and the public sector coming together to help in a time of need. We needed to equip these homes really quickly so that they could be used by people in need of a safe place to stay and isolate themselves.

"We've had overwhelming support from local organisations like the Cornwall Hospice Charity Shops, carpet fitters and suppliers, HBH Woolacotts, Warrior Warehouse, Furniture World and The Range who have helped us provide everything we needed at very short notice, in this time of emergency."

"Special mention goes to a group of seamstresses from Truro Fabrics who stepped up to make simple curtains for some of the first homes at really short notice".

To date, 23 homes have been made available throughout Cornwall and the project team is now working on fitting out the next 12 identified properties, which will start to be occupied from this week onwards.