London's housing crisis is forcing City Hall and local councils to consider a wide array of different solutions. One method that got approval recently is the use of modular homes. It could have a huge impact, especially in the short to medium term.
The scale of the issue
Every part of London is struggling when it comes to housing. There is a shortage of properties, and high prices can make it tricky to rent. As a whole, the estimates claim there are over 183,000 people in temporary accommodation waiting for local authorities to find them a permanent home. This puts significant pressure on finances, with councils spending an £114m every month.
Building more homes would be the best solution to the problem, but that itself is very difficult. In fact, it can be a massive challenge in London. Areas may lack space and there can be major obstacles in terms of cost. On top of this, planning restrictions and local opposition can cause problems.
A temporary fix
With the huge cost of temporary accommodation and the difficulty building permanent homes, City Hall gave their backing to install more modular housing. They can offer a number of benefits, including quick build times, high quality finishes, and impressive costs.
As a top provider of residential architecture, we can definitely see the opportunities here. The prototype for this proposal is interesting. It has a full kitchen with all the fittings and a bathroom with full-size bath. Crucially, the claim is it will take just 70 days to produce a modular home in the factory and install it on site.
Another interesting factor is the potential lifespan of the modular homes. The estimate is they could last for 60 years. That would be a great ROI.
The plan is to install the modular homes on GLA Brownfield land in different parts of London. Then, the homes could move in the future if the plot will be redeveloped. The crucial thing here is the goal would be to choose plots for the homes that allow people to live in their favoured areas, close to schools, jobs, and support networks.
The response
Responses to the use of modular housing have been split. Some support the proposal because it can provide a more immediate solution. However, there are critics too. The major criticism is the homes won't provide a long term solution. Ultimately, the best option seems to be to create modular homes while also ensuring sufficient investments to build permanent, affordable housing.