Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has gifted six SOLOHAUSTM homes to the Salvation Army, to help tackle homelessness in Basildon, Essex, as part of their Foundation 200 initiative.
Designed to provide follow-on temporary accommodation for people who have experienced homelessness, the purpose-built modular homes were handed over on 28 September at an event attended by Basildon Council leaders and senior representatives from The Hill Group, The Salvation Army and Citizens UK.
The specially designed modular homes were provided through Hill's philanthropic initiative Foundation 200, a £15million pledge to manufacture and donate 200 modular homes by 2025 to charities tackling homelessness. The temporary homes, which arrive fully furnished, are designed to Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energy efficiency and sound insulation.
Andy Hill, Group Chief Executive at The Hill Group, comments: "We are delighted to gift these six purpose built modular homes to the Salvation Army, supporting their efforts in helping vulnerable people in Basildon turn their lives around. Our SOLOHAUSTM technology is making a tangible difference to the lives of many people dealing with homelessness, and we are confident that these homes will help people get back on their feet in secure, modern comfortable accommodation." Once installed, the SOLOHAUSTM homes will be managed by The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army has a presence in 650 communities and accommodates a nightly average of four thousand people who were formally homeless, while Citizens UK provides vital support at night shelters and food banks in local communities and neighbourhoods. Major Howard Russell, Divisional Commander of the East of England Division, The Salvation Army added: "Having safe independent accommodation is a vital part of transitioning back to a more stable living arrangement for those who have experienced homelessness. SOLOHAUSTM empowers people with that vital step in getting their lives back on track and we are confident that these units will make a huge difference to people in the Basildon area." Councillor Andrew Schrader, Chairman of Basildon Council's Housing and Estate Renewal Committee, said: "This is a brilliant project that will transform the lives of Basildon's residents in need. Thank you to all the partners who have worked so well together to make the opening of the first part of the scheme a reality." Earlier in August, the keys for eight SOLOHAUSTM units were handed over to Dacorum Borough Council, the first council in Hertfordshire to make use of these purpose-built modular homes as follow-on accommodation for people who have previously experienced homelessness in the local area.
Management of the homes will be undertaken through a partnership arrangement led by the Council with DENS, a local charity with a proven track record of supporting Dacorum residents to realise their aspirations for housing, skills development, employment and education. The residents and homes at Hampton Close in Hemel Hempstead will be supported by DENS, the homeless charity for people in Dacorum. DENS do much more than just providing a roof and a bed for people in need, aiming to be the first port of call for people in Dacorum who are facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion.
Wendy Lewington, CEO at DENS said: "These smart, modular homes will enable us to support even more people facing homelessness in Dacorum. DENS staff will be providing tailored advice and training to the residents so they can develop the skills, confidence and resilience to help rebuild their lives and take the next step into independent living". SOLOHAUSTM units are manufactured in the West Midlands by Hill Group's manufacturing partner Volumetric Modular prior to being delivered and installed on site. So far around 150 SOLOHAUSTM homes have been handed over to local authorities in the fight against homelessness.
For more information visit: www.solohaus.co.uk
