Mayor invests £11m into modular homes for London’s homeless

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is investing £11m into creating temporary modular homes to help house the UK capital’s homeless families.

The mayor will team up with London boroughs to manufacture the modular homes, which will be constructed off-site and placed temporarily on unused land.

The investment will deliver up to 200 affordable homes that will be available for rent on sites across London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘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.’

Currently there are over 54,000 homeless households living in temporary accommodation in London — over four-fifths being families with children.

This accommodation can vary from privately rented flats, B&Bs and hostels, and is often expensive and can force homeless people far across the city.

Khan’s initiative will focus on delivering two- or three-bedroom homes that have the quality of permanent housing and can be moved from one site to another, allowing families to stay near their local area.

The initiative will be run by the Pan-London Accommodation Collaborative Enterprise (PLACE), a not-for-profit hosted by the London borough of Tower Hamlets and supported by London Councils.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ executive member for housing and 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.’

London’s boroughs will be able to participate in the scheme by identifying a potential site and joining PLACE, which will then procure, install and remove the modular homes.

PLACE will rent the homes to the boroughs at 90% of the 2011 Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Rate, offering them a cheaper alternative to other temporary accommodation.

Further details about the scheme, including who will manufacture the modular homes, is set to be announced over the coming months.

Image credit: Graf Spee