Can Modular Housing Pods Provide Effective Accommodation for the Homeless?

With a growing housing crisis across the country, local authorities are in desperate need of effective housing solutions. Modular housing pods are increasingly being seen as a viable solution to temporary accommodation needs for those facing homelessness. In this post, we explore what modular housing pods are and how they can be utilised as temporary accommodation for the homeless.

What are modular housing pods?

Modular housing pods are also known as modular units or modular pods. They are self-contained, prefabricated structures which are built offsite in controlled factory environments. They are then transported to their intended location for assembly.

Modular pods are designed to be versatile, efficient and customisable. As such, they are becoming a popular solution for various applications, including housing, hospitality, healthcare and commercial spaces.

Modular housing pods are designed for residential use. More specifically, they are typically intended to be used as temporary accommodation, which makes them a viable option for housing the homeless. They are self-contained units complete with their own interior finishes, fixtures and fittings. This means that once a pod is assembled on site, it is ready for immediate use.

How can modular pods help to house the homeless?

There are many advantages that modular housing pods offer in terms of a solution to housing the homeless. These are:

• Reduced construction times

  Modular pods are prefabricated offsite and designed to be self-contained units complete with interior finishes, fixtures and fittings. Once assembled on site, they are ready for immediate use. This means they can be a quick solution where additional accommodation is required. Because of the offsite construction methods used, modular housing pods allow for quick installation and reduced disruption to the surrounding areas.

• Customisation

  Modular housing pods are highly customisable, which allows them to be designed and constructed to suit specific needs and preferences. As such, they can be designed to meet the needs of occupants requiring temporary accommodation, whether individuals or families. This allows for modular housing pods to be tailored to the needs of a specific community. They can even be joined together or stacked to create larger structures. This allows for tailoring to specific site conditions or space limitations.

• Sustainability

  Many modular housing pods are designed with sustainability in mind. They can incorporate energy-efficient features such as insulation, solar panels and efficient heating and cooling systems. This makes them both comfortable for the occupants as well as cost-efficient in terms of energy costs.

• Transportable

  Modular housing pods are designed to be transported efficiently. This makes them suitable for remote and hard-to-reach locations where traditional construction might be more challenging. It also makes them mobile, allowing for easy relocation and repurposing when they are no longer needed in one location.

• Scalability

  Modular pods offer scalability options. As the need arises, additional pods can be manufactured and added to the existing site or structure to accommodate growing demand or changing requirements. This makes them ideal for communities where housing needs change over time.

• Cost efficiency

  Modular housing pods can be a more cost-effective solution to temporary accommodation. Many local councils are facing challenges of rising costs associated with temporary housing. Often, families and individuals are temporarily housed in hotels which can be extremely costly for local authorities. Investment in modular housing pods could help to reduce these costs over time as, once the initial investment is made, they can be reused for many years to come.

Case study: MODULHAUS™

Volumetric Modular Ltd has been working with many sectors to address accommodation needs, including safe and secure living for homeless people to onsite accommodation projects. In recognising the growing demand for high-quality modular housing solutions, Volumetric developed their award-winning MODULHAUS concept.

The MODULHAUS solution involves the creation of robust, quality-assured homes with outstanding functional performance and energy efficiency alongside low running costs. It provides safe, secure and comfortable homes which are fully equipped with low-energy white goods and modern furnishings.

Volumetric has assisted local authorities in supplying MODULHAUS homes where sustainable temporary housing is needed. They work collaboratively with project designers and managers to design solutions that maximise space and cost efficiency.

The MODULHAUS range includes a single-occupancy, double-occupancy and family solution to ensure the temporary accommodation needs of local communities are effectively met with comfortable solutions fit for purpose.

You can read more about how Volumetric is helping local communities to solve their housing shortages here.