HOUSING PODS PLAN TO CUT WAITING LIST:
PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS TO HELP SINGLE‘VULNERABLE’PEOPLE
ENERGY-EFFICIENT prefabricated “pods” could help reduce a council’s housing waiting list, if approved by planners.
Gwynedd Council’s housing department has submitted plans to install four of the pods at the former site of Caernarfon’s Ysgol Pendalar, which officers say would provide temporary fixed accommodation at a low cost for those who are struggling to find a tenancy in the private sector.
The pods, they say, will help meet the needs of single “vulnerable” people with “complex and multiple needs”, while providing stability as they rebuild their lives and allowing Gwynedd Council to cut down on costly emergency accommodation such as B&Bs.
The design of the one-bedroom pods is based on “passivhaus” principles which will mean heating requirements will be up to 90% lower and the buildings would create their own energy, keeping costs low for tenants.
If approved, the authority hopes that this could pave the way for a bigger variety of homes in the town, with it also being possible to transport the pods to other areas if needed.
Cllr Craig ab Iago, the cabinet member for housing, said: “This is an exciting scheme and I’m proud of the work of the council’s housing staff who have developed this innovative model for the pods.
“Because of the design, the buildings would create their own energy and there would be very low heating costs.
“The scheme underlines our desire to ensure a range of affordable housing that is low cost to maintain for tenants.
“The intention is to install low cost, purpose built accommodation for people who find it difficult to find a tenancy due to various reasons.
“It’s great that the model that the council’s staff have already developed is being seen as an example to emulate and it’s
expected a number of other counties will replicate it to address the need for this type of property across Wales.”
The planning application, which has now been submitted, also notes that the location will “ensure stability” and enable close support and monitoring of clients by support professionals such as probation, social services, health and a substance misuse network. The design and access statement notes: “By delivering the proposed Pods, Gwynedd Council seeks to meet a specific housing need for short/medium term accommodation for single vulnerable individuals with multiple needs.
“Homeless Services have identified that the number of clients seeking accommodations exceeds supply and there is insufficient capacity within the social rented sector.
“Gwynedd Council will seek to work alongside a local registered social landlord who’ll lead on management of the new pods.
“Clients placed in the pods will receive comprehensive support package to empower and assist them in rebuilding their lives before they progress to establish more stable tenancies.
“Final allocation decisions will remain with the Local Authority to ensure the pods are allocated to the clients with the greatest need.”
As the pods have been submitted by the authority on Gwynedd Council owned land, the application must be presented in front of the planning committee before a decision can be made.