Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has gifted six SoloHaus 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 28th 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 £15m 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 SoloHaus 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 SoloHaus 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 comments: "Having safe independent accommodation is a vital part of transitioning back to a more stable living arrangement for those who have experienced homelessness. SoloHaus 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."
Juliet Kilpin, Senior Organiser, Citizens Essex: "These temporary accommodation units will enable us to give the right support and guidance to even more people, helping them develop the skills, confidence and resilience to take the next step into independent living."
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."
So far over 80 SoloHaus have been donated to local authorities in the fight against homelessness. Produced in the West Midlands by Hill's manufacturing partner Volumetric Modular, the units are pre-fabricated to ensure rapid installation following site delivery.
For further information or support with concerns about housing, please email basildon@salvationarmy.org.uk.
