Morgan Sindall Tops Out £19m Camden Hostels for Homeless 2026

Key Points

• Morgan Sindall Construction marked a significant milestone with a topping out ceremony for new hostels on Camden Road and Chester Road in Camden, London.
• The £19m project provides high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless individuals and families, on track for completion in summer 2026.
• Ceremony held on 6th February at the Chester Road site, attended by Councillor Nasrine Djemai, Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, representatives from Morgan Sindall, PAGABO, and local ward Councillors.
• Speeches delivered by Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Borough Council, and Richard Dobson, Area Director of London at Morgan Sindall Construction.
• Attendees installed the last sustainable green roof on the Chester Road building to commemorate the milestone.
• Procured through the PAGABO framework, Camden Council appointed Morgan Sindall as the main contractor.
• Hostels address needs of those facing sudden eviction, life events, or escaping domestic violence.
• London has 75,000 households in temporary accommodation, more than the rest of the country combined, with 70% in costly nightly paid options.
• Development includes two hostels: 39 units on Camden Road and 50 units on Chester Road, with single and double beds, en-suite bathrooms, community rooms, staff rooms, outside gardens, benches, and children’s play areas.
• Morgan Sindall’s employment and skills plan has onboarded five apprentices on Camden Road, 11 on Chester Road, and eight work experience placements across both sites.
• 25 local tradespeople employed to support the local economy.
• Community engagement initiatives include Construction Insights sessions with DWP members, Green Skills and Construction Career Day events, and attendance at careers fairs.

Camden, London (North London News) February 20, 2026 – Morgan Sindall Construction has celebrated a topping out milestone at the £19m hostels project on Camden Road and Chester Road, providing vital temporary accommodation for homeless families and individuals in the borough. The ceremony underscored the project’s progress, with completion slated for summer 2026, as reported directly from the official project announcement by Morgan Sindall Construction.

What Milestone Did Morgan Sindall Achieve?

The topping out ceremony signalled the structural completion of the key phases for the two hostels, a traditional construction event marking the placement of the final beam or roof element. Held at the Chester Road site on 6th February, the gathering included Councillor Nasrine Djemai, Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, Morgan Sindall representatives, PAGABO officials, and local ward Councillors. Participants listened to speeches from Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Borough Council, and Richard Dobson, Area Director of London at Morgan Sindall Construction. To mark the occasion, attendees ascended to the roof to install the final section of the sustainable green roof, emphasising the project’s commitment to environmental integration, as detailed in the Morgan Sindall Construction press release.

This milestone reflects continued on-site progress, with the development procured via the PAGABO framework. Camden Council selected Morgan Sindall as the main contractor to deliver high-quality temporary housing solutions. The hostels target those without homes due to sudden evictions, life events, or fleeing domestic violence, offering safe, secure, and good-quality living spaces.

Why Are These Hostels Crucial for Camden?

London faces a severe homelessness crisis, with 75,000 households currently in temporary accommodation—more than the rest of the country combined. Of these, 70% reside in costly, nightly paid options, straining council budgets and local resources like bed and breakfasts. Camden Council anticipates that the new hostels will alleviate these pressures by providing stable, purpose-built units, reducing expenses for households and easing demand on emergency provisions, according to the project details from Morgan Sindall Construction.

Upon completion, the Camden Road hostel will feature 39 units, while Chester Road will have 50 units. Each will mix single and double beds, with every unit equipped with its own bathroom for privacy and dignity. Beyond basic accommodation, the sites incorporate community-oriented designs: a community room for social interaction, a staff room for support services, and outdoor gardens complete with benches and play areas for children. These elements aim to foster a neighbourhood feel, helping residents feel welcomed and at home while awaiting permanent housing.

How Does the Project Support Local Employment?

Morgan Sindall has prioritised social value through a comprehensive employment and skills plan, leveraging its expertise in construction projects. To date, the team has onboarded five apprentices on the Camden Road site and 11 on Chester Road, providing hands-on training for the next generation of professionals. Additionally, eight work experience placements have been facilitated across both sites, offering invaluable live-project exposure.

Supporting the local economy remains a core focus, with 25 local tradespeople employed on the project spanning both locations. This initiative ensures that economic benefits circulate within the Camden community, bolstering skills and job opportunities amid the construction works.

What Community Engagement Efforts Have Been Made?

Morgan Sindall has actively involved the local community throughout the build. Initiatives include Construction Insights sessions tailored for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) members, allowing insights into the industry’s realities. The firm also participated in Green Skills events and a Construction Career Day, promoting sustainable practices and career pathways.

Further, Morgan Sindall attended multiple careers fairs, engaging potential talent and raising awareness of opportunities in construction. These efforts align with the company’s broader commitment to social value, ensuring the project extends beyond bricks and mortar to empower residents.

Who Were the Key Figures at the Ceremony?

The 6th February event drew prominent local leaders. Councillor Nasrine Djemai and Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali were present alongside PAGABO representatives and local ward Councillors. Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Borough Council, delivered a speech highlighting the project’s importance. Richard Dobson, Area Director of London at Morgan Sindall Construction, also spoke, emphasising progress and community benefits.

Attendees collectively installed the sustainable green roof’s final element, symbolising the transformative impact on Camden’s housing landscape. As per the Morgan Sindall Construction announcement, this gathering celebrated not just structural achievements but the collaborative spirit driving the initiative.

When Is the Project Due for Completion?

The hostels remain firmly on track for handover in summer 2026, aligning with Camden Council’s timelines. This procurement under the PAGABO framework has enabled efficient delivery by Morgan Sindall, the appointed main contractor. The dual sites on Camden Road and Chester Road will collectively offer 89 units, addressing immediate homelessness needs while incorporating modern, resident-focused amenities.

How Does This Fit into London’s Homelessness Crisis?

Camden’s development responds to London’s disproportionate burden of temporary accommodation users. With 75,000 households affected—exceeding the national total outside the capital—and 70% in high-cost nightly lets, councils like Camden seek sustainable alternatives. The hostels’ design, including en-suite facilities, communal spaces, and child-friendly outdoors, prioritises wellbeing, potentially reducing reliance on suboptimal B&B stays.

What Design Features Make These Hostels Unique?

Each of the 39 Camden Road units and 50 Chester Road units blends single and double configurations with private bathrooms, ensuring hygiene and comfort. Site-wide, a community room encourages resident interaction, a staff room supports on-site services, and landscaped gardens with benches and play equipment create a homely atmosphere. The sustainable green roof, finalised during the topping out, enhances biodiversity and insulation.

Why Choose Morgan Sindall for This Project?

Camden Council appointed Morgan Sindall via the PAGABO framework for its proven track record in delivering social housing with added value. The firm’s skills plan, local hiring (25 tradespeople), apprenticeships (16 total), and work placements (eight) demonstrate a holistic approach. Community programmes further embed the project in Camden’s fabric.

In reporting this story, all details have been drawn comprehensively from the official Morgan Sindall Construction announcement, ensuring factual accuracy and neutrality. This £19m investment stands as a beacon of progress in tackling homelessness, with stakeholders united in its vision for safer, more supportive temporary homes.