CHESS Homeless have achieved planning permission to provide 24 modular DuoHaus homes near Chelmsford to accommodate homeless adults.

Manufactured by The Hill Group, the purpose-built, self-contained homes will be run by CHESS Homeless; the Essex-based charity that supports people suffering from homelessness. The charity will provide 24-hour on-site assistance and support with living skills, helping residents rebuild their independence and stability.

The DuoHaus homes will replace the old motel in West Hanningfield near Chelmsford, which CHESS have been running as a homeless hostel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently went on to purchase. The project was made possible through support from the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), Chelmsford City Council, various trusts, grant-makers, individuals, and pro bono contributions from the teams involved.

DuoHaus homes are innovative, modular homes designed specifically to support and protect vulnerable residents. The concept was developed by award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, as a follow-on housing solution to help address the homeless crisis.

Designed with a 60-year lifespan, each home is designed for up to two residents and is built to meet Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energy-efficiency and sound insulation. They come fully furnished and equipped including a fitted kitchen and white goods, providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents before they find somewhere more permanent.

Rob Saggs, Chief Executive Officer of CHESS Homeless, commented: “The redevelopment of the temporary hostel into brand new homes will be game-changing for us as a charity and the level of support we can offer to people moving on from homelessness. This will be a safe and secure environment, where our residents can rest, heal and move forward with purpose. Our thanks go to all the partners that have made this happen so rapidly and gifted their time to the project.”

“CHESS currently have 10 properties which provide temporary accommodation and support services to around 56 adults whilst helping them to regain control of their lives. Our mission is to work to ensure that people who find themselves homeless are supported in ways that enable them to move forward purposefully and in good health.”

“We are excited to be expanding our homeless provision by another 24 individual homes for vulnerable people, particularly in the midst of a housing crisis when the outlook is quite bleak.”

The 24 DuoHaus homes will be stacked on two levels and each home arrives ready for installation as they are prefabricated by Hill’s manufacturing partner, Volumetric Modular Ltd. The homes are set to be complete and ready for new residents to move in by late spring 2025, just 18 months since this project was first initiated. Now the development has gained planning permission, demolition of the former motel building and site groundworks are already underway.

As part of the redevelopment, one section of the former motel is being retained and renovated to provide an administration building where CHESS’s dedicated support team will be based, as well as a communal space for residents to socialise. The charity will provide 24-hour assistance for residents and also offer educational sessions including IT skills, DIY and job advice to help build their confidence back. In addition to the accommodation, the redevelopment will provide office and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.

TSA Riley acted as the project manager for the development. Dan Macpherson, Executive Director at TSA Riley, commented: “Delivering a high-quality housing solution for some of the most vulnerable in society has been a strong motivating factor for everyone involved. We will have completed the project within 18 months and this speed of delivery is a fantastic testament to all the members of the project team, doing an outstanding job and collaborating effectively toward the same, very worthwhile goal.”

Allia Future Homes is a specialist in supported modular home communities that tackle homelessness. It has been advising CHESS on the project since its inception. Daniel Renn, Housing Development Lead at Allia Future Homes, said: “We are proud to have been part of the incredible team that brought this vital project to life. With the homelessness crisis escalating across the UK, supported modular communities are an essential part of the solution. The success of this project has been driven by the shared values and commitment of the organisations involved, many of whom have generously contributed their expertise and resources free of charge. We hope this initiative serves as a model for similar projects nationwide, offering a practical and sustainable response to one of the country’s most pressing challenges.”

Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: “We’re proud to be supplying these DuoHaus homes for vulnerable individuals in the Chelmsford area who need a safe space to get back on their feet. The design of DuoHaus means it is both cost and energy efficient, providing a flexible low-cost housing solution for those most in need.”