Homeless people and families could benefit from investment into what the housing provider calls “life changing” modular builds
Modular homes would be a better investment than the current hotels and B&B’s being used to tackle the housing crisis, say Places for People.
Currently, England’s councils are spending £2.8bn per year on temporary accommodation, and this is predicted to grow to £4bn by 2030.
Proposing a change in investment
As a housing provider, Places for People wants to work with councils to help boost housebuilding with modular homes, which can be built 50% faster than regular homes, and reduce reliance and burden on temporary accommodation, as well as supporting a growing industry.
This could also be directed to use up brownfield and grey belt land, such as unused council land, car parks, etc.
These modular homes (pictured below) are built offsite and can be installed in a year, while still meeting the same quality and environmental standards as other homes, last for a minimum of 60 years, and be 30-50% faster to build.
They are also smaller than traditional builds, allowing them to be built on smaller plots of land, offering a cheaper and practical alternative to full on housing developments.
Places for People say that this approach can be scaled up across the country to support government objectives, and that even a small amount of the money being spent on temporary accommodation being redirected to this can make a huge difference.
The approach is already being used in some places
Bristol is used as an example of this approach being effective, as 20 modular homes have been delivered to date, allowing people at risk of homelessness to live safely, and more homes are on the way.
Based on this example, it is estimated that each modular home can save £245,000 per year.
The housing provider is calling for:
- Leadership: PfP wants to work with councils across the country to prioritise development of modular housing for temporary/emergency accommodation, by unlocking unused land and redirecting money spent on hotels and B&Bs
- Planning and regulation: Faster planning processes, including the introduction of fast-track approvals for modular developments; review of regulation to enable fast delivery
- Skills: Investment in skills and training to grow the modular construction workforce
- Funding: Reform of funding models to prioritise modern methods of construction in temporary accommodation provision
Larry Gold, CEO for housing and communities at Places for People, said: “Temporary accommodation has become a national crisis, with hundreds of thousands of families – including 176,000 children – growing up in hotel rooms and B&Bs without the stability or space they need to thrive.
“There is a clear opportunity and urgent need to do things differently and we want to use our experience to help government and councils end the homelessness and temporary accommodation crisis.
“By investing in modular housing, we can not only reduce the enormous costs associated with temporary accommodation, but far more importantly provide people with the safe, secure homes they deserve.
“We must move beyond outdated perceptions of modular as a stopgap. These are high-quality, long-lasting homes that can play a central role in tackling both the immediate pressures of homelessness and the long-term housing shortage.
“We are here and ready to work with government and councils to do this. The funding is already there; we need to use it more effectively – supported by speeding up the planning process and unlocking unused public land.
“Modular housing gives us a practical way to act now due to quick delivery – moving families out of unsuitable accommodation and into homes where they can rebuild their lives, with the right support alongside them. We are here and ready to help this national rollout.”
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