Shipping containers for the homeless scheme could be extended

QED teamed up with the Brighton Housing Trust to use shipping containers as 36 temporary homes on a derelict industrial site on New England Road.

The Richardson’s Yard project has helped 64 people since it launched in 2013, and is applying to continue the project until 2023.

Andy Winter, chief executive of the Brighton Housing Trust, explained how it is often difficult for people to afford housing after getting off the streets.

He said: “The private rented sector is too expensive – around £971 a month, and housing benefit will pay £612.

“People wanted to turn their lives around but had nowhere to move onto.

“Clients want their own front door, their own kitchen and their own bathroom. That is what we provided.”

Ross Gilbert of QED came up with the idea to use shipping containers for affordable accommodation.

The Richardson’s Yard site is part of a wider area allocated for office use – but those plans have not yet come forward, so Mr Gilbert thought he’d find another use for the land in the meantime.

Explaining his motivation, he said: “I was born here, I grew up here, I want to make a difference. From a developer point of view this is game changing in terms of how we provide buildings.

The industry is ripe for some disruption. This is different.”

He said the containers can be quickly moved, and makes good use of land while it’s not being developed.

Mr Winter said: “I had never believed this would be possible. I never dreamed we could do something as good as quick and as affordable as this.”

Proposals for the site to be used for temporary accommodation until 2023 were submitted to the council today (Friday, August 18).