Estate agents are well known for raising money for homeless and other charities through initiatives such as Agents Giving, but an unusual idea being pioneered in Worcester is taking a more bricks-and-mortar approach.

The Homeless Foundation, which is based in Redditch in Worcestershire, has developed a pre-fabricated home called the iKozie to help homeless people get back on their feet and regain their independence.

It costs £40,000 to build and is adaptable enough to be able to fit into a variety of different types of plots including brownfield. The units, which are manufactured off-site can be stand-alone and also stacked on top of each other.

The first 186 sq ft unit has now been installed at the end of a garden in Worcester and, the charity says, by using space-saving designs borrowed from the airline industry, offers everything an individual needs to live.

Despite not being much larger than a big garden shed, the iKozie contains a fully-fitted kitchen, lounge, bedroom and a bathroom. The charity claims the unit is set to revolutionise how councils in England tackle the issue of homelessness and “help people successfully transition from hostels to independent living”.

The first tenant to move into the iKozie gets their keys on 1st October and the unit will be used to sell the concept to councils and demonstrate that it works “over the next few months,” says trustee Kieran O’Donnell.

Innovative concept

Mike Johnson, Chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee, added: “Worcester City Council is proud to support such an interesting and innovative concept. We wish the Homeless Foundation every success and will continue to work with them on future plans to create more iKozie homes for our city.”

And if agents fancy doing their bit then The Homeless Foundation says it is hoping to find people or businesses who will licence the iKozie’s design, profits from which will go to the charity and “do their bit for eradicating homeslessness in the UK too,” it says.

It’s also been suggested that the flexible self-contained accommodation could be used to house students, young professionals, and key workers in areas where there is a housing crisis.

The iKozie design can be licensed with the profits going to the Homeless Foundation, so businesses that recognise the potential in the iKozie can do their bit for eradicating homelessness in the UK too.