Enfield Council’s Cabinet Members are to consider proposals to introduce new, flexible construction to secure quick build, adaptable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly accommodation to relieve the housing supply situation, and in the long term, save on council costs.
These homes would be built off-site at a faster rate than usual construction methods and they would meet planning, safety and heating standards.
They would be equipped with modern facilities and services; and units could be moved around the borough to meet changing housing needs or site requirements. Features can also be added or removed particularly bedrooms.
Cllr Ahmet Oykener, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for Housing & Housing Regeneration, said: “We are concerned that recent figures for families now living in temporary accommodation in the borough are approaching 3,000.
“Flexible housing will complement our existing initiatives to respond to housing pressures and these proposals provide a real solution helping us to ensure that we have sufficient good housing for those in need.”
Factors for Cabinet to consider
• Demand for temporary accommodation is forecast to rise posing significant budget pressures for the council and increasing the number of expensive, nightly paid emergency units required, unless urgent action is taken to provide a more cost effective alternative.
• There are increasing pressures on housing supply in Enfield; in particular, temporary accommodation has increased significantly after a period of declining numbers and relative stability.
• It is proposed that the council progresses plans for ‘flexible, quick build housing’ to secure short term, cost effective accommodation to help meet the rising demand for accommodation.
• Flexible housing can take a number of forms including temporary, relocatable modular accommodation. This will also enable the council to make use of under-utilised sites.
• Plans are in the early stages, however, approval of the concept and the key principles for the units and the site is sought to inform more detailed work and enable the council to progress a competitive procurement process, to confirm unit costs and then develop robust financial models for specific sites as they are identified.