A micro-home designed to provide temporary accommodation for the homeless has been craned into a back garden in Worcester.
The Homeless Foundation charity hopes the 186 sq ft iKozie single-person home – which drew inspiration from yacht interiors and first class airline cabins – will allow occupants to re-establish independent lives.
The micro-home is being used to help homeless people re-establish independent lives (The Homeless Foundation/PA Wire)
Billed as inexpensive “move-on” accommodation for those previously using hostels, the unit has a bedroom, shower room, living area and full kitchen including a washing machine.
Kieran O’Donnell, a trustee at the Worcestershire-based Homeless Foundation, said the home was built using modular construction off-site and hoisted into its permanent position behind an existing house owned by the charity.
The micro-home costs around £40,000 to construct (The Homeless Foundation/PA Wire)
“After years of planning we are delighted that the iKozie is now a reality and will be used to house the homeless in Worcester,” he said.
The new unit in St George’s Lane North, Barbourne, complies fully with all planning requirements and building regulations, has an A rating for energy efficiency, and cost around £40,000 to construct.
Charity officials believe the new unit will work well on brownfield sites and may also be suitable for students, young professionals and key workers.