The Mayor of London, , is investing £11 million into
temporary modular homes to help homeless families in the capital.
There are currently more than 54,000 homeless households living
in ‘temporary accommodation’ in London – more than four-fifths of
whom are families with children. ‘Temporary accommodation’
typically means privately rented flats, and can also include
B&Bs and hostels. It is often expensive and can force
families to move from their local area.
In an attempt to offer high-quality, local temporary
accommodation for families instead, London boroughs have joined
forces with the Mayor to manufacture ‘modular’ homes - which are
constructed off-site and then placed temporarily on land that is
unused as it awaits permanent development. The funding will
deliver up to 200 affordable homes to rent on sites across
London.
The initiative is run by the Pan-London Accommodation
Collaborative Enterprise (PLACE), a not-for-profit company hosted
by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on behalf of those
councils involved. PLACE is also supported by the umbrella body
London Councils and has been developed by the London Housing
Directors’ Group.
PLACE’s precision-manufactured homes will have the quality of
permanent housing, will meet the Mayor’s draft London Plan space
standards, and can be moved from one site to another as required.
PLACE will focus on delivering two and three-bedroom homes, which
will have good insulation and energy performance.
The Mayor of London, , said: “The rise in homelessness
in recent years is a national disgrace. Government cuts mean
that, too often, London councils are left with little choice
other than to offer homeless families expensive housing a long
way from their local area. I’m pleased to support this new
initiative that makes use of modular construction and temporarily
vacant sites to help ease some of that pressure and make a real
difference to the families involved.”
Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for
Housing & Planning, said: “London faces the most severe
housing crisis in the country and boroughs are determined to work
together to secure better accommodation for homeless Londoners.
“PLACE will deliver new family-sized housing for homeless
Londoners in their borough – close to their schools, jobs and
support networks – and provide a high-quality alternative to
other forms of temporary accommodation. It represents an
innovative new approach and we’re pleased to have the Mayor’s
support for this crucial work.”
To get involved in the scheme, boroughs need to identify a
meanwhile site and join PLACE. PLACE will then procure the
modular housing units and manage the installation and removal,
and rent homes to boroughs at 90 per cent of the 2011 Local
Housing Allowance rate, providing a less expensive option for
local authorities.
Councillor Rachel Blake, Tower Hamlets Deputy Mayor for
Regeneration and Air Quality said: “With London’s temporary
housing crisis getting worse, this funding is very welcome and
will support local authorities to collaborate. It’s really
exciting news and a big boost to an important project that will
provide innovative solutions to homelessness in Tower Hamlets.”
Further details, including the manufacturer of these homes, will
be announced in due course.
