The 26 Sq Metre Cubes Used To House Homeless People

This week the YMCA launches Y:Cube, an accommodation project in Mitcham, south London. The development is made up of 36 self-contained, one-bedroom flats, each with their own bathroom, living room and kitchen, inside a compact 26 sq metre unit. They are factory built off-site and installed for just £55,000 each. The YMCA developed the scheme to provide move-on homes for young people who are ready to leave their accommodation, but cannot move into the private rented sector due to high costs or lack of availability. Meanwhile, nine out of 10 YMCAs have turned a young person away due to capacity issues. Read more on the Guardian website.

Build New Homes in Weeks, Not Months, Minister Warns Housebuilders

Britain’s housebuilders must embrace new technology that could dramatically speed up the development of new homes in order to tackle the country’s crippling housing shortage, the housing minister has warned. Brandon Lewis said organisations risked being left behind if they failed to take notice of advancements in technology such as off-site construction that can build homes in weeks, rather than months. The UK requires 250,000 new homes built each year to meet demand, according to most estimates. Last year just 141,000 homes were built. Read more on the Guardian website.

Council Slammed For Luxury Flat Plans with No Affordable Housing

Labour councillors have slammed Westminster Council's decision to give planning permission for 198 luxury flats without including any affordable housing. And according to Labour, the Conservatives on the planning committee accepted only 42% of the amount of money payable for providing off-site affordable housing when it considered four major planning applications in the West End, losing the council over £26,700,000 in payments to the Affordable Housing Fund.  Instead of receiving £46,779,063, the council will get only £19,992,000.  Read more on 24dash.