The 'game-changing' plan to help Chelmsford's homeless residents

A homeless charity in Essex has had planning permission approved for a "game-changing" set of micro-homes for vulnerable residents. The purpose-built homes will be run by CHESS Homeless to support people suffering from homelessness in the county.

The charity will provide 24-hour on-site assistance and support with living skills, helping residents rebuild their independence and stability. The new modular homes will replace the old motel in West Hanningfield, near Chelmsford, that the charity has been running since the start of the pandemic.

The 24 brand new micro-homes are designed with a 60-year lifespan and each home is intended to have capacity for two residents. They come fully furnished and equipped including a fitted kitchen and white goods, providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents before they find somewhere more permanent.

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The homes are set to be complete and ready for new residents to move in by late spring 2025, just 18 months since this project was first initiated. Now the development has gained planning permission, demolition of the former motel building and site groundworks are already underway.

As part of the redevelopment, one part of the motel is being renovated to provide an administration building where CHESS’s support team will be based as well as a communal space for residents to socialise. In addition to the accommodation, the redevelopment will provide office and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.

The project for the DuoHaus homes, developed by The Hill Group, has been funded by the government's Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), Chelmsford City Council, various trusts, grant-makers, individuals, and pro bono contributions from the teams involved.

Rob Saggs, Chief Executive Officer of CHESS Homeless, said the redevelopment "will be game-changing" for the charity and the support they can offer. He added: "This will be a safe and secure environment, where our residents can rest, heal and move forward with purpose. Our thanks go to all the partners that have made this happen so rapidly and gifted their time to the project.

"CHESS currently have 10 properties which provide temporary accommodation and support services to around 56 adults whilst helping them to regain control of their lives. Our mission is to work to ensure that people who find themselves homeless are supported in ways that enable them to move forward purposefully and in good health.

"We are excited to be expanding our homeless provision by another 24 individual homes for vulnerable people, particularly in the midst of a housing crisis when the outlook is quite bleak."