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Role of modular homes in providing stable accommodation for people experiencing homelessness defined.
A U.K. charity dedicated to providing shelter to the homeless, Jimmy’s Cambridge, in partnership with non-profit Allia Future Homes and ethical building organisation New Meaning Foundation, established the first community of modular homes in Cambridge back in 2020.
By 2021 they had installed 22 self-contained modular homes with support services
across four different sites.
From the outset, the modular design was simple and compact, featuring a main living room with a kitchen in the corner, a shower bathroom in the middle room, and a single-person bedroom at the back, as “modular home residents haven’t got a great number of possessions and they need something that’s easy to manage.”
The intention for the modular homes is to serve as a stepping stone for individuals who were previously bouncing between hostels and the streets, as they offer a temporary but stable accommodation option.
The study published last week by Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research and Jimmy’s found that modular homes can aid homeless individuals in starting their journey towards permanent housing solutions. The study concluded that “modular homes are an innovative solution to address homelessness and have brought about positive outcomes for residents.”
However, the research also emphasised that housing alone cannot solve the problem and that support must be combined with housing to prepare people to live independently.
Some residents’ testimonies revealed that having their own space helped them find the confidence to tackle addictions and reconnect with estranged family members. CEO of Jimmy’s Mark Allan believes that modular homes differ from other types of temporary housing because of the privacy they offer, which he thinks is crucial for recovery.
One of the residents told researchers: “The privacy is the best thing, you can do whatever you want to do. Sometimes it’s hard to engage with other people and you need to be on your own.”
Download the report HERE (pdf)
