Pre-fab houses used to combat 'alarming levels' of homelessness in Cambridge

Work has begun on six modular homes that will be used to house the homeless in Cambridge.

They should be ready by next month and are expected to be on-site for at least two years after the city council said something needed to be done to combat 'alarming levels' of homelessness there

They're not finished yet but in just a few weeks the homes will be providing some of Cambridge's many homeless with somewhere warm and dry and safe.

They are specially designed dwellings complete with bedroom, shower room and kitchen/living area.

Designer Simon Bray wanted to create proper homes not just somewhere to live.

The pilot project involves several agencies and charities including Jimmy's Night Shelter which will provide furnishings and nominate the new tenants.

There are now so many homeless in Cambridge Jimmy's can't provide beds for them all but does give help and support.

Once completed the houses will be moved by low loader to land being provided the city's Christ the Redeemer church.

If necessary they can be moved to other locations.

The buildings themselves are being built by the social organisation New Meaning which employs formerly homeless people on its projects.

It's hoped these first six will provide a blueprint for many more small developments around Cambridge.

Last year around 160 people in Cambridge were classed as homeless.This new initiative can't help them all at once.

But it might provide a path towards solving an issue which has been getting ever more severe in the city for many years.