Shipping containers to help homeless

Plans have been put forward for shipping containers to be used as temporary homes for homeless families.

A project to give homeless people temporary shelter in shipping containers has been secured by the Welsh Government.

The scheme involves using re-purposed units for families facing homelessness.

It has recently been approved for grant funding through the Innovative Housing fund.

The innovative housing scheme is to help give temporary shelter to households facing homelessness.

A main purpose of this programme is to inform the Welsh Government about the type of homes it should support in to help address environmental demands.

The council plans to have eight eco-friendly and energy efficient family homes placed in the grounds of Greenfarm Hostel in Ely.

The containers are for families to use as a temporary solution while they wait for something more permanent.

The scheme is one of 22 affordable housing projects working with the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing programme.

Cabinet member for Housing and Communities, Councillor Lynda Thorne said that she is delighted that the project has gained funding through the Innovative Housing fund.

“The shipping container project is a quick and cost-effective salutation to providing homes for those in need in the city,” she says. Thorne also explains the need for good quality housing in the city.

“We are seeking to address this by building new council homes through our Cardiff Living Scheme,” she says.

Whilst the idea is great for families facing homelessness, there is some speculation regarding the project.

Peterson–Super-Ely council chairman, Councillor Ian Pearson, has said that his personal opinion is that he would not want anything like that in his district. “I would rather work on housing people in proper houses,” he explains, “but I am not too against it.”

With details designs for the containers are being developed and a planning application will soon be submitted.