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London boroughs launch modular homes project for homeless people
The first batch of modular homes owned by a group of London councils aiming to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people has been assembled on a test site in Tower Hamlets.
Owned by the Pan-London Accommodation Collaborative Enterprise (PLACE), the prototype homes were manufactured by ESS Modular and meet all London design requirements and building control regulations.
PLACE, which is backed by £11m in funding from London mayor Sadiq Khan, aims to supply 200 homes across the capital by February 2022.
The homes will be assembled temporarily in vacant ‘meanwhile’ sites that are earmarked for development in the long term, which would otherwise remain underused for at least the next seven years.
Following the successful delivery of the prototype homes in Tower Hamlets, PLACE is working with participating boroughs to confirm sites and accommodation homeless households within the next year.
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PLACE was set up by the London Housing Directors’ Group and London Councils in response to the worsening homelessness crisis in the capital, where more than 60,000 households are currently living in temporary accommodation.
All modular homes delivered by PLACE will have two or three bedrooms, a private door and a private amenity space, such as a garden or balcony. One in ten of the homes delivered will be wheelchair accessible.
Sir Steve Bullock, chair of PLACE, said: “This is an exciting step forward in our mission to boost the supply of high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless Londoners.
“Designed and manufactured to strict standards and with the needs of homeless families at the forefront of our minds, PLACE’s modular housing is attractive, comfortable and spacious. This is accommodation that families will enjoy living in, and we can’t wait to see boroughs start to use our units over the coming year.”
Tom Copley, deputy London mayor for housing and residential development, said: “PLACE shows what can be done when City Hall, councils and innovative construction and tech industries work together to tackle one of our city’s most pressing issues.
“Homeless people and those living in temporary accommodation deserve high-quality homes. This project will not only help improve the housing available for homeless families and reduce the cost of providing temporary accommodation for local authorities, but will hopefully drive innovation in housebuilding – showing the potential of precision-manufactured housing.”
Jackie Odunoye, co-chair of the London Housing Directors’ Group, said: “London is in the midst of the worst housing crisis in the country and boroughs face enormous pressure finding suitable accommodation for homeless residents.
“It’s fantastic to see the arrival of PLACE’s prototype units, which will provide a high-quality, affordable and local option for councils, helping to ensure that homeless residents stay close to their schools, jobs and support networks.”
