A new collection of 24 modular DuoHaus homes that will provide accommodation for homeless people is being installed near Chelmsford. Delivered by The Hill Group, the purpose-built, self-contained homes will be run by CHESS Homeless; the Essex-based charity that supports people suffering from homelessness. The charity will provide 24-hour on-site assistance and support with living skills, helping residents rebuild their independence and stability.

DuoHaus homes are innovative, low-cost modular homes designed specifically to support and protect vulnerable residents. The concept was developed by award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, as a follow-on housing solution to help address the homeless crisis. Hill is installing the DuoHaus homes to replace an obsolete motel in West Hanningfield near Chelmsford, which CHESS Homeless has been running as a homeless hostel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was made possible through support from the government's Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), Chelmsford City Council, various trusts, grant-makers, individuals, and pro bono contributions from the teams involved.

Designed with a 60-year lifespan, each DuoHaus home is designed for up to two residents and is built to meet Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energy-efficiency and sound insulation. They come fully furnished and equipped including a fitted kitchen and white goods, providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents before they find somewhere more permanent.

The DuoHaus homes are part of The Hill Group's broader SoloHaus initiative, which has been providing safe, high-quality modular housing for homeless individuals since 2020.

Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: “We're proud to be supplying these DuoHaus homes for vulnerable individuals in the Chelmsford area who need a safe space to get back on their feet. The design of DuoHaus means it is both cost and energy efficient, providing a flexible low-cost housing solution for those most in need.”

The 24 DuoHaus homes will be stacked on two levels and each home arrives ready for installation as they are prefabricated by Hill's manufacturing partner, Volumetric Modular Ltd. The homes are set to be complete and ready for new residents to move in by late spring 2025, just 18 months since this project was first initiated. The development gained planning permission recently and demolition of the former motel building and site groundworks are already underway.

As part of the redevelopment, one section of the former motel is being retained and renovated to provide an administration building where CHESS's dedicated support team will be based, as well as a communal space for residents to socialise. The charity will provide 24-hour assistance for residents and also offer educational sessions including IT skills, DIY and job advice to help build their confidence back. In addition to the DuoHaus homes, the redevelopment will provide office and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.

Rob Saggs, Chief Executive Officer of CHESS Homeless, commented: “The redevelopment of the temporary hostel into brand new DuoHaus homes will be game-changing for us as a charity and the level of support we can offer to people moving on from homelessness. This will be a safe and secure environment, where our residents can rest, heal and move forward with purpose. Our thanks go to all the partners that have made this happen so rapidly and gifted their time to the project.”

TSA Riley acted as the project manager for the development. Dan Macpherson, Executive Director at TSA Riley, commented: “Delivering a high-quality housing solution for some of the most vulnerable in society has been a strong motivating factor for everyone involved. We will have completed the project within 18 months and this speed of delivery is a fantastic testament to all the members of the project team, doing an outstanding job and collaborating effectively toward the same, very worthwhile goal.”

Allia Future Homes is a specialist in supported modular home communities that tackle homelessness. It has been advising CHESS Homeless on the project since its inception. Daniel Renn, Housing Development Lead at Allia Future Homes, said: “We are proud to have been part of the incredible team that brought this vital project to life. With the homelessness crisis escalating across the UK, supported modular communities are an essential part of the solution. The success of this project has been driven by the shared values and commitment of the organisations involved, many of whom have generously contributed their expertise and resources free of charge. We hope this initiative serves as a model for similar projects nationwide, offering a practical and sustainable response to one of the country's most pressing challenges.”

To date, Hill has delivered over 200 SoloHaus and DuoHaus homes to local authorities and charities across the UK, from Suffolk to Cornwall. This initiative not only addresses immediate housing needs but also sets a sustainable and replicable model for tackling homelessness nationwide.

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The installation of the DuoHaus units would not have been possible without help from the entire team, which consists of:

Main Project Team:

TSA Riley – Project manager, Cost consultant, Employers Agent (Pro-Bono)

Liz Lake Associates – Landscape Architect (Pro-Bono)

Trowers & Hamlins LLP – Construction Lawyer (Pro-bono)

Allia Impact Ltd – Client Advisor (pro-bono)

Lanpro – Architect, Planning Consultant, Principal Designer (CDM), Arboricultuarlist

The Hill Group – Main Contractor 

Volumetric Modular – Manufacturer

Perega – Structural & Civil Engineer

Other Consultants:

Ecology Solutions Ltd – Ecology assistance for planning (pro-bono)

Eton Environmental Group Ltd – R&D asbestos (pro-bono)

Sweco Building Control Ltd – Building Control

SLR Consulting Ltd – Transport Consultant

Survey Solutions – Measured Building Survey

Roberts Environmental Ltd – Ground Investigation

40Seven Ltd – Utility Site Survey & Report

Sunshine Survey Ltd – Topographical Survey

About The Hill Group

Hill is an award-winning housebuilder and one of the leading developers in London, the home counties, and the South. 

The company is renowned for its partnership ethos, specialising in the building of distinctive new places and communities where people want to live, work, and socialise. It is now in the process of opening new regional offices to facilitate growth in the South West and the Midlands.

In its 25th year, this family-owned and operated company has grown to establish itself as the UK's second-largest privately-owned housebuilder, with an impressive and diverse portfolio of projects ranging from landmark, mixed-use regenerations, and inner-city apartment developments to homes in rural communities. 

Employing over 950 staff, the company operates from six strategically located regional offices, with its head office based in Waltham Abbey, Essex. 

Hill completed 2,886 homes in the last financial year and has a controlled land bank with planning consent for over 8,800 homes. Around half of its portfolio is in joint ventures to deliver a range of mixed-tenure developments, reflecting Hill's commitment to partnerships with government, local authorities, housing associations, and private clients. 

Since the company was founded in 1999, Hill has won over 500 industry awards, including the esteemed titles of WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year in 2015, 2020, and most recently in 2023, when it also won the Best Large Housebuilder accolade in its first year entering the category. Rubicon, Hill's innovative and beautifully designed development at Knights Park in Eddington, Cambridge, has been recognised with four prestigious WhatHouse? Awards in 2023, including gold awards for Best Development and Best Exterior Design. Rubicon also won Best Design for Four Storeys or More at the 2023 Housebuilder Awards. The Beech, a stunning contemporary home at Marleigh, won the Best Family Home award at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2023 and silver in the Best House category at the WhatHouse? Awards in the same year. 

In addition, Hill's dedication to delivering the highest quality homes and exceptional customer service has earned the housebuilder its 5-star status in the Home Builders Federation's annual Customer Satisfaction Survey for the past seven years. With a score of 4.9 out of 5, Hill is also ranked as the number one housebuilder on Trustpilot.

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