Morning Briefing: charity installs first ‘micro-home’ for homeless people

In the news

The Homeless Foundation has set up the iKozie home, which measures just 17.25 square metres, at a site in Worcester, The Guardian reports.

Its first tenant is expected to move into the £40,000 unit next month.

The charity claims the home, which is constructed off site and inspired by luxury yacht designs, is “the first of its kind in the world”.

Across the Severn, the Wales Audit Office has criticised the Welsh Government’s management of its £125m Supporting People Programme, according to the BBC.

The spending watchdog said the grant scheme needs to show it is delivering value for money, preventing homelessness and tackling poverty.

Its report claims that the programme’s services for older people are currently only available for social housing tenants.

Meanwhile David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, has written an opinion piece for Prospect magazine about the future of supported housing, after it was revealed last week that 85% of new schemes have been shelved.

And The Guardian carries an opinion piece this morning reacting to the news that London mayor Sadiq Khan has handed a £25m loan to “compact homes” developer Pocket Living.

Academic Lisa Mckenzie writes that “a huge question hangs over whether these apartments will provide value for money”.