The council has received Government funding to turn sheltered housing into at least 18 social homes.

St Albans City and District Council applied for funding from Government housing agency, Homes England in May this year and has now been awarded £540,000.

The funding will go toward the council’s £3.2million project to redevelop Mereden Court sheltered housing block in Tavistock Avenue, Sopwell.

Refurbishment will start later this year and should finish by summer next year. The 14 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats will be made available for rent on the council’s housing register.

Sheltered housing are rented homes that house the elderly, disabled or other vulnerable people.

Homes England awarded £720,000 to the council last year for turning another sheltered accommodation back into affordable housing.

Wavell House in Cell Barnes Lanes is to be demolished and 24 homes built for people over 55 and will be called Warner House.

St Albans City and District council cabinet member responsible for housing, protection and inclusion Cllr Jacqui Taylor said: “We are delighted Homes England is supporting our latest project to provide much-needed social housing in our district.

“Social housing is one of our main priorities and Homes England has recognised that we are committed to delivering high-quality homes for people in housing need.

“When finished this accommodation will provide much-needed homes for those waiting on our housing register, enabling them to stay in the district.”

The work of Mereden Court and Wavell House is part of a council programme to redevelop sheltered housing blocks that are showing signs of age.

Linley Court in Valley Road is also being turned into 28 properties by Aldwyck Housing Group and renamed Hawkings House.

Head of home ownership and supply at Homes England Carol Cairns said: “We work with our housing partners to deliver high quality, affordable homes in the areas where they’re most needed.

“We are pleased to be supporting the council to develop Mereden Court and look forward to seeing these much-needed homes for people in St Albans take place.”