Places for People (PfP), a major social housing provider, claims that modular homes could be crucial in addressing Britain's housing crisis. The organisation aims to collaborate with councils nationwide to prioritise modular housing for temporary accommodation, moving away from more expensive hotels and B&Bs.
A modular home is a type of prefabricated housing constructed in sections off-site, with potential installation within 12 months. Larry Gold, CEO for housing and communities at PfP, stated that temporary accommodation has become a national crisis, affecting hundreds of thousands of families, including 176,000 children.
According to PfP, over 134,000 households in England are living in temporary accommodation, costing councils £2.8 billion annually. PfP estimates that each modular home could save councils up to £24,540 per year in rental costs for households moved out of emergency hotel or B&B accommodation.
PfP is currently working with Bristol City Council, having delivered 20 modular homes for individuals at risk of homelessness. David McNulty, executive director of housing at Bristol City Council, welcomed interventions that provide more suitable housing options, noting that nearly 2,000 households in Bristol are in temporary accommodation.