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UK: Housebuilder The Hill Group has donated eight SoloHaus homes to Essex charity Streets2Homes, to help the local homeless community.
The single-occupancy modular homes have been donated by Hill in partnership with Harlow Council, through the Harlow Regeneration Partnership LLP, which was formed to deliver much-needed new housing as part of the regeneration of Harlow town centre. Now complete, the homes were handed over to Streets2Homes this week, ready to house those in urgent need of somewhere safe to live.
Tom Hill, managing director at The Hill Group was joined by the leader of the council, Dan Swords; Kerrie Eastman, chief executive officer of Streets2Homes and other stakeholders to mark the handover with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Streets2Homes is a Harlow-based charity dedicated to individuals facing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. The organisation offers a welcoming and secure day centre, providing essential services to help rebuild their lives, including assistance with securing accommodation.
Eastman said: “I am truly thrilled to take ownership of these eight fabulous homes. The generous donation of these SoloHaus units will have a profound impact on some of Harlow’s most vulnerable individuals. Our organisation is privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of such a transformative initiative. As the demand for housing continues to outstrip availability, countless people rely on our support during times of homelessness. Thanks to the collaboration with Hill and Harlow Council, we are now in a position to offer even more people a chance at a brighter, more stable future.”
The eight SoloHaus homes were built as part of The Hill Group’s Foundation 200 initiative. The venture is a £15 million pledge covering the design and manufacture of 200 modular homes. Each of the innovative properties is designed and built to Future Homes Standards, with a 60-year lifespan. The properties exceed building regulations for sound insulation and energy efficiency, providing residents with a warm and private home in which to get back on their feet.
Each of the new Harlow homes comes fully furnished and equipped, including a fitted kitchen, white goods, bedding, crockery, cutlery and more. The properties will provide vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness with somewhere safe and welcoming to live while permanent accommodation is sought. Streets2Homes will allocate residents to the homes and manage the development in partnership with Harlow Council.
Andy Hill OBE, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “Having worked in partnership with Harlow Council since June 2023, delivering a once-in-a-lifetime regeneration opportunity for the town, we are delighted to now hand over these eight homes to Streets2Homes. SoloHaus properties are purposefully designed to help tackle homelessness, providing residents with modern, secure and comfortable homes that support them to transition towards stable, independent living. Donating these homes means we can support Streets2Homes and Harlow Council with its aim to provide some of the town’s most vulnerable residents with the safety and dignity they deserve.”
As part of the Harlow Regeneration Partnership, The Hill Group will deliver a range of regeneration and development projects designed to revitalise Harlow’s town centre while delivering high-quality homes at scale and pace. The second largest privately-owned housebuilder in the UK, Hill is also continuing to deliver modular homes in towns and cities across the country to help tackle the homelessness crisis through Foundation 200. Manufactured by Hill’s partner, Volumetric Modular, the construction of the homes also provides valuable local employment opportunities in the West Midlands.
Highlights:
- Housebuilder The Hill Group has donated eight SoloHaus homes to Essex charity Streets2Homes, to help the local homeless community
- The single-occupancy modular homes have been donated by Hill in partnership with Harlow Council, through the Harlow Regeneration Partnership LLP, which was formed to deliver much-needed new housing as part of the regeneration of Harlow town centre
- The eight SoloHaus homes were built as part of The Hill Group’s Foundation 200 initiative, a £15 million pledge covering the design and manufacture of 200 modular homes
