Shipping containers to be turned into homes

SHIPPING containers will be turned into homes for people facing homelessness.

The Welsh Government this week announced 22 schemes will get funding from its Innovative Housing programme.

One of those is Cardiff council’s plan to turn shipping containers into homes. The brief was to develop “homes of the future”.

The council will get money to build eight energy-efficient family homes in the grounds of Greenfarm Hostel in Ely, to be used as temporary accommodation while families wait for a more permanent housing solution.

Detailed designs for the 16 containers are now being developed and a planning application will then follow.

Cabinet member Lynda Thorne said: “I’m delighted that we have gained funding through the Innovative Housing Fund. Our plans to create eight new family homes, to be used as temporary accommodation, are truly innovative.

“There’s increasing demand for good-quality, affordable housing in the city and we are seeking to address this need by building new council homes through our Cardiff Living Scheme, acquisitions and creative, sustainable initiatives such as this.

“The shipping container project is a quick and cost-effective solution to providing homes for those in need in the city. They also give us the flexibility to respond to changing demand as the homes can be relocated and reused.”

The Welsh Government scheme is to help inform the Government, housing associations and local authorities about the type of homes it should support in the future to help address supply and environmental demands.

Initially funded by £10m per year over the next two years, the fund has been increased to nearly £19m for this year.

The projects will also contribute to the 20,000 affordable homes target the Welsh Government aims to provide over this term of government.

Cabinet secretary Carl Sargeant said: “The housing sector in Wales is facing many challenges. Increasing the number of homes available, the rate at which they’re delivered and their affordability, while reducing their impact on the environment are the most obvious.

“The projects funded by the Innovative Housing Programme will help us learn what works best and why, both in terms of what we build and how we build them.

“Building homes delivers important benefits beyond simply putting a roof over people’s heads. Alongside the well-documented health and education benefits that good-quality housing provides for children and families, building homes of all tenures has a significant positive impact on the Welsh economy and on our communities.

“These projects will also demonstrate how we can use the Welsh supply chain to unlock massive opportunities for growth and innovation in housing.”