Residents Move into SoloHaus Micro-Homes in Newquay Amid Housing Crisis

Tackling the Housing Crisis with Modular Homes

Newquay has welcomed its first residents to a new development of 18 SoloHaus modular homes on Tregunnel Hill car park, marking a significant step in addressing the local housing crisis. This initiative by Cornwall Council is designed to provide temporary accommodation for individuals transitioning from homelessness, offering them a chance to regain their independence.

Sonia Finds Independence

Among the new residents is Sonia (not her real name), who expressed her joy at having her own space. “I love the independence I now have in my own home and my own space. This is the support I’ve needed, and I can talk to them about anything. I come from this area, and I’ve lived here my whole life – this is the place I call home. Now I have a proper home and it’s my time to prove to myself – not to anyone else – that I can do it.”

Sustainable Living Solutions

The SoloHaus modular homes, built to exceed Future Homes Standards, provide sustainable and energy-efficient living spaces. These homes are equipped with low carbon heating technologies and offer an independent, safe, and comfortable environment for residents. They are fully furnished and ready for installation, making them a quick solution for urgent housing needs.

Council’s Comprehensive Housing Strategy

Olly Monk, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for housing and planning, highlighted the council’s multifaceted approach to the housing crisis. “We’re using all means at our disposal to tackle the housing crisis, including prevention services, outreach, providing emergency and temporary accommodation as well as building and buying more homes for social rent. This latest scheme is part of a plan for this part of Newquay to not only provide excellent quality accommodation for single people who would otherwise be homeless but also revamp the car park here at Tregunnel Hill and put in measures to deter unauthorised encampments which has been an issue here in the past.”

Partnerships Driving Change

The development at Tregunnel Hill is part of a landmark deal between Cornwall Council and The Hill Group, a renowned housebuilder. Rory Lowings, Project Manager for SoloHaus at The Hill Group, expressed his pride in the project. “We are proud to be working in partnership with Cornwall Council to provide purpose-built homes for people at risk of homelessness. SoloHaus is an ideal housing solution for Cornwall, as it delivers high-quality accommodation that can be deployed quickly.”

Managing and Supporting Residents

Cornwall Housing Ltd will manage the new development, ensuring smooth operations and maintenance. Karen Centini, Specialist Services Team Leader at Cornwall Housing, emphasised the support available for residents. “We are proud to manage these homes and support residents as they transition to a more stable future. The new micro-homes not only provide immediate relief for those facing homelessness but also offer a solid foundation for residents to rebuild their lives.”

Harbour Housing, in collaboration with Cornwall Housing, will provide tenancy sustainment support. Malcolm Putko, Group Operations Director at Harbour Housing, shared a touching moment from a new resident’s move-in day. “One of our newly arrived residents here at Tregunnel Hill almost burst into tears when she first moved in as she couldn’t believe the quality of the accommodation. We work with individuals to provide a person-centred approach and help each tenant sign up for education or training so they can find a regular source of income before moving to a more permanent home.”

Future Developments and Ongoing Efforts

The SoloHaus development in Newquay is part of a broader plan to create similar accommodations in Truro, Penzance, and Penryn. This initiative aims to reduce the number of households living in temporary or emergency accommodation across Cornwall, which currently stands at over 800.

Cornwall Council is also working on purchasing 50 high-quality properties to be used as temporary accommodation for families, with a capital cost of up to £17.2m. This programme is expected to generate significant savings by reducing the need for emergency accommodation.

Additionally, the council is focused on buying existing homes, building more council houses, supporting affordable housing projects, and preventing new builds from being acquired as second homes.

The introduction of SoloHaus micro-homes represents a hopeful step towards resolving the housing crisis in Cornwall, offering stability and independence to those in urgent need.