Modular Housing The Answer To Homelessness On The Isle Of Wight?

Sunday, 7 November 2021 06:00

By Louise Hill LDR

Modular housing could help provide a quick fix to homelessness on the Isle of Wight, the council believes.

Now, the IW Council is looking at buying, and building, 20 affordable, modular homes.

As part of the council’s Covid-19 recovery plan, options for the building of modular construction affordable homes are being looked at.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the health and wellbeing board, the council’s chief executive, John Metcalfe, said it was looking to secure the modular units quickly, to help ease the pressure on the Island’s housing system.

In September, council figures show 199 households were living in temporary accommodation — fewer than the peak in February 2021 of 215, but still rising from August, when there were 186.

Problems with the housing stock have recently been exacerbated, with prices rising in both the rental and sales market, and a lack of affordable housing.

The number of people in Band 1 of the council’s housing register, those with urgent housing needs, has fluctuated from April between 13 and 14 people.

It hit a high in June last year when 27 people were in urgent need of housing but fell to 19 in August 2020.

Modular housing can be cheaper and quicker to put up, as units are built in factories and then transported to the site where they are then assembled.

The Isle of Wight Council does not currently have any modular affordable homes but has confirmed it is working up a project to secure the purchase of 20 two-bed units to help address homelessness, subject to securing funding and cabinet approval.

The issue has been listed for discussion, and approval, at the December cabinet meeting.

Part of the discussions around funding could be confidential if a separate commercial organisation provides finance.

The units would be built on council land and the location will be confirmed when the project goes ahead, after following normal planning rules.

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Modular Housing The Answer To Homelessness On The Isle Of Wight?

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