Modular homes unveiled for London homelessness scheme

The first batch of modular homes designed as accommodation for homeless people in the capital has been assembled on a test site in Tower Hamlets.

The units belong to PLACE, a not-for-profit company established by London boroughs to provide high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless families.

The units are manufactured by ESS Modular and are being placed on land earmarked for development in the long term, which would otherwise remain underused for at least the next seven years.

Following the successful assembly of the prototypes on the Tower Hamlets test site, PLACE is working with participating boroughs to confirm sites and accommodate homeless households within the next year.

Tower Hamlets and several other boroughs are looking into suitable locations and PLACE aims to supply 200 homes across the capital by February 2022.

‘We’re really pleased to be involved in this exciting initiative. It could make a real difference to how we accommodate homeless Londoners at a time when our city is experiencing an ongoing housing crisis’ said Tower Hamlets mayor, John Biggs.

‘I am glad we’ve been able to host these test units in Tower Hamlets. We’ve already identified a site for the first modular homes and in the coming weeks we hope to secure planning permission. It’s important that we think outside the box to tackle these complex challenges and this programme is doing just that.’

The chief executive of ESS Modular, Paul Tierney added: ‘It is an honour for ESS Modular to work with PLACE on this important project which will provide high-quality, local accommodation for people needing a home. Using modern methods of construction, our precision-manufactured homes deliver the quality of a permanent home but offer a huge additional benefit as they can be relocated to another site needing urgent accommodation at a later date.’

Photo Credit – Alessandro_Altieri (Pixabay)