Developers want a low-cost housing scheme pilot in Bristol to be rolled out across the country following its success. BristolLive reports the £80-a-week ZEDpod homes were built in St George two years ago, housing young adults referred by the YMCA.
The zero-carbon modular apartments were part of Hope Rise, a housing project for young adults at risk of homelessness, which also supported them into work or education. They housed nine young adults and one community builder, who helped them settle into their two-year tenancy at the scheme. Aged between 20 and 35, the tenants included sofa surfers, care leavers and refugees at risk of homelessness.
On moving in during 2020, four were working, four were not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and one was in college. A year on, six were working, one was NEET, one was in college and one was doing an apprenticeship.
One resident said: "This place has done such a good job of making me feel you have support around you. The people here are so nice, you feel like you are being welcomed with open arms every time they see you."
The one-bed homes cost £370 per month, with energy bills £46 per month, making them affordable to residents on housing benefits. The average price for a one-bedroom flat in Bristol is £1,084 a month.
The homes are fitted with renewable technologies like rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and triple-glazed doors and windows. The Hope Rise project has also seen the construction of three new electric vehicle car charging stations and cycle storage bays at the site.
Councillor Tom Renhard, cabinet member for housing delivery at Bristol City Council, said: “There is a crisis in the availability of affordable housing across the UK. The pressing need to build high-quality, energy-efficient homes, combined with rapidly rising construction costs, is making the delivery of new homes for council tenants increasingly difficult.
“Hope Rise has shown us that innovation is essential as we seek to deliver homes fit for the future to meet Bristol’s housing need. We hope the learning from this pilot project will lead to the design and delivery of hundreds if not thousands of homes.”
The successful pilot means ZEDpods can now start work on 1,200 new homes, most of them affordable and social housing, earmarked for those at risk of homelessness, households on the housing register and key workers. Chairman Tom Northway said: “We are extremely pleased with the performance of the building during occupancy, which has improved the wellbeing of its residents and made a positive impact on the local community."
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