On Wednesday 14 January, award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, officially handed over eight modular SoloHaus homes to Southwark Council to help tackle homelessness. Installed at Leroy Street, the SoloHaus homes will have a significant impact on residents who have been living on the streets, offering them dignity, hope and a place to call home.
The purpose-built modular homes were provided through Hill’s philanthropic initiative, Foundation 200, a £15 million pledge to design, manufacture, and donate 200 modular homes to organisations helping homeless people. The SoloHaus home provides a safe, comfortable, and independent space for residents, arriving fully furnished and ready for installation onto a pre-prepared site. Designed to house single people, the homes have a 60-year lifespan and are built to Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energy efficiency and sound insulation.
Stakeholders and local dignitaries from Southwark gathered alongside Hill representatives, and the Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Sarah King and Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, Cllr Helen Dennis. Guests were welcomed by Cllr King, who thanked all involved for their contributions in bringing the initiative to fruition. Cain Peters, Managing Director of Special Projects at Hill, also addressed attendees, outlining the Group’s vision for the homes and the positive impact they have already made in the communities where they are located. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by guided tours of the homes.
Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, comments: “We are delighted to hand over these eight SoloHaus homes, providing stability, security and a fresh start for individuals who have experienced homelessness in Southwark. The delivery of these homes has been made possible through the collaboration of many dedicated partners, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their invaluable support. The homes at Leroy Street demonstrate the power of partnerships, and I hope they offer the residents a safe and supportive environment in which to rebuild their lives and move forward with confidence.”
Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Sarah King, comments: “These temporary homes are a lifeline for people who have faced unimaginable challenges, and we’re proud to be working with The Hill Group to provide this essential support for homeless people in our borough. By working in partnership with Hill, we are delivering safe, high-quality temporary homes that offer dignity, hope, and a route to securing permanent, stable housing. This initiative reflects our commitment to becoming a good landlord, tackling homelessness and ensuring every Southwark resident has the chance to live in a decent home and build a secure future.”
Providing safe and secure homes for residents is central to Southwark Council’s role as a landlord. The temporary modular homes at Leroy Street support the council and Hill’s Foundation 200 ambition to provide an important route out of homelessness, for those that need it most.
