Shipping container homes in Brighton that were set up to house rough sleepers could remain for another couple of years if the local authority agrees to extend the lease.
Brighton and Hove City Council are deliberating on whether to keep the 36 self-contained flats located at Richardson’s Yard in operation for another two years, as the lease is due to end next month, Brighton and Hove News reported.
BHT Sussex and QED Sustainable Urban Developments have applied to the local authority in order to help homeless people in the city, taking them off the streets before they are relocated to more secure housing.
It was initially created in 2013 as the housing crisis in Brighton was escalating. The situation does not seem to have improved, as charity Shelter recently revealed that one in 78 people in the area do not have a home, making it the worst place in south-east England for homelessness.
According to BHT Sussex: “The Richardson’s Yard scheme continues to make a significant contribution to meeting several of the council’s strategic priorities including reducing rough sleeping and ensuring that there is throughput from specialist supported housing.”
It added the container conversions are still “very much fit for purpose”, and are able to provide secure homes for former rough sleepers.
They also allow residents to move back into private renting, as they can gain a reference to give to landlords, improve their tenancy skills and experience living independently. Over the last ten years, 135 people have been housed in the flats, and more than half of these have gone on to secure longer-term tenancies within the city.
