There is a "real housing crisis" in Chelmsford but a new project in the city is aiming to make a real difference for people struggling with homelessness. It's hoped that a "game-changing" project by local charity CHESS on the outskirts of Chelmsford will go some way to helping address the current situation.
The 24 brand-new modular homes near West Hanningfield will allow dozens of Chelmsford's homeless to make the first steps on their journey towards independent living.
The city has a relatively low number of people who are rough sleepers, yet there are hundreds of homeless households in Chelmsford. These are people who may have fallen into homelessness through any of a number of potential reasons.
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"There's a rising number of homeless people," Rob Saggs, chief executive of CHESS, says having received the keys to the new homes. "There's the cost of living crisis and the housing crisis that we are now in. There's the lack of affordable accommodation and so properties and facilities like this are desperately needed so that people are not in temporary accommodation and are on the road to success."
Mr Saggs adds: "We're seeing people living out of cars being referred to us now. It's a mega challenge, there's lots of pressures on households. Domestic abuse figures have increased, relationships are breaking down left, right and centre and they are the things we are operating with when trying to house people who have become homeless."
The homes, which have a lifespan of around 60 years, are part of a £3m project that has seen a former motel site transformed into 24 modern homes. It is a local project for Chelmsford people, CHESS say. The flats have been kitted out with everything that someone might need to move away from a lifestyle of homelessness.
These properties also allow residents to have a key to a space that is not just a single room - as is the case at many of CHESS' other properties, which are houses of multiple occupancy. Inside residents will be able to have a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living space that is individually their own.
There are also training spaces on the site, meaning CHESS staff and volunteers can continue to work and support those living there. 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 accommodation, the redevelopment will provide office and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.
Bikes will allow residents to enjoy some of the site's countryside surroundings, whilst a regular bus service can carry them in and out of the city centre. Site staff are also planning to provide daily shuttle trips to and from Chelmsford too.
"This is a game changer because all of our properties before this are houses of multiple occupancy," Mr Saggs adds. "These are individual homes for people to do life from and begin their journey back into independent living."
People living in Chelmsford may soon notice more projects like this popping up around the city. Plans are moving forward to build 22 new modular houses at the Waterhouse Lane car park in Meteor Way and an adjacent vacant site.
There are also similar projects elsewhere in the county, such as in Harlow where modular homes are being developed on a derelict site to support vulnerable people there. "Homes like this are a really easy way to build at pace and scale."
Cllr Stephen Robinson (Lib. Dem.), the Leader of Chelmsford City Council, added: "What we really need is the land. We need central government to make more land available on land that they own.
"I would love to build a lot more homes like this so that we can accommodate more of the homeless. There's a lot that needs to be done and we are making a start, but there's a lot more that we need to do."
