The Hill Group is installing a collection of 24 modular DuoHaus homes near Chelmsford that will help tackle homelessness in the area.
The purpose-built, self-contained will be run by Essex-based charity, CHESS Homeless, which will provide 24-hour on-site assistance and support with living skills, helping residents rebuild their independence and stability.
DuoHaus homes are low-cost modular homes designed specifically to support and protect vulnerable residents. The concept was developed by The Hill Group as a follow-on housing solution to help address the homeless crisis. Hill is installing the DuoHaus homes to replace an obsolete motel in West Hanningfield near Chelmsford, which CHESS Homeless has been running as a homeless hostel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was made possible through support from the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), Chelmsford City Council, various trusts, grant-makers, individuals, and pro bono contributions from the teams involved.
Designed with a 60-year lifespan, each DuoHaus home is designed for up to two residents and is built to meet Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energy efficiency and sound insulation. They come fully furnished and equipped including a fitted kitchen and white goods, providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents before they find somewhere more permanent.
The DuoHaus homes are part of The Hill Group’s broader SoloHaus initiative, which has been providing safe, high-quality modular housing for homeless individuals since 2020.
Andy Hill OBE, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, commented: “We’re proud to be supplying these DuoHaus homes for vulnerable individuals in the Chelmsford area who need a safe space to get back on their feet. The design of DuoHaus means it is both cost and energy efficient, providing a flexible low-cost housing solution for those most in need.”
The 24 DuoHaus homes will be stacked on two levels and each home will arrive ready for installation as they are prefabricated by Hill’s manufacturing partner, Volumetric Modular Ltd. The homes are set to be complete and ready for new residents to move in by late spring 2025, just 18 months since this project was first initiated. The development gained planning permission recently and demolition of the former motel building and site groundworks are already underway.
As part of the redevelopment, one section of the former motel is being retained and renovated to provide an administration building where CHESS’s dedicated support team will be based, as well as a communal space for residents to socialise. The charity will provide 24-hour assistance for residents and also offer educational sessions including IT skills, DIY and job advice to help build their confidence back. In addition to the DuoHaus homes, the redevelopment will provide office and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.
Rob Saggs, chief executive officer of CHESS Homeless, commented: “The redevelopment of the temporary hostel into brand-new DuoHaus homes will be game-changing for us as a charity and the level of support we can offer to people moving on from homelessness. This will be a safe and secure environment, where our residents can rest, heal and move forward with purpose. Our thanks go to all the partners that have made this happen so rapidly and gifted their time to the project.”
To date, Hill has delivered over 200 SoloHaus and DuoHaus homes to local authorities and charities across the UK, from Suffolk to Cornwall. This initiative not only addresses immediate housing needs but also sets a sustainable and replicable model for tackling homelessness nationwide.
‘Source: Showhouse’
