Small home with big plans to solve nation’s homelessness crisis

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…

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