Homelessness Crisis: Tonbridge and Malling Council Appoints Contractor for New £4m Modular Homes
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) has taken a major step in combating the borough’s escalating homelessness crisis by appointing a contractor to deliver a new temporary accommodation scheme. The move comes as the council grapples with the immense financial strain of housing its most vulnerable residents, with an estimated 120 households in the borough…
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) has taken a major step in combating the borough’s escalating homelessness crisis by appointing a contractor to deliver a new temporary accommodation scheme.
The move comes as the council grapples with the immense financial strain of housing its most vulnerable residents, with an estimated 120 households in the borough needing accommodation at any one time. This legal obligation currently costs local taxpayers an unsustainable £2.5 million per year.
New Modular Homes for the North of the Borough
Award-winning company Zed Pods has been appointed to construct 12 high-quality, self-contained modular units on the former Blue Bell Hill car park in the northern part of the borough.
The project is a strategic investment to help alleviate a significant local housing challenge. While TMBC currently owns or leases around 30 properties in the Tonbridge area to house homeless families, there is a critical shortage of accommodation options in the north of the borough. The lack of local options often forces the council to use costly nightly-rate accommodation, moving families far from their original communities.
The new scheme is intended to rectify this, as noted by Cllr Robin Betts, TMBC’s cabinet member for housing:
“This scheme will not only provide a cost-effective supply of additional homes but also enable more homeless families from the north of our borough to remain close to the area where they have local connections.”
Cllr Robin Betts, TMBC’s cabinet member for housing
High-Quality, Low-Cost Housing
Zed Pods specialises in zero-carbon, energy-efficient housing. The homes will be built offsite using precision engineering and installed rapidly to minimise disruption. Each unit will feature renewable technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps, designed to keep running costs to an absolute minimum for the occupants.
The project is budgeted to cost approximately £4 million, which will be met through a combination of a Local Authority Housing Fund grant, council reserves, and developer contributions.
Zed Pods Kitchen Interior LookZed Pods Living Area
Next Steps and Public Consultation
The project’s next phase involves submitting a planning application in November.
Ahead of the submission, residents wishing to find out more about the scheme are invited to a drop-in meeting on:
Date: Thursday 6 November
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Bridgewood Manor Hotel
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