New programme and play book aims to transform temporary accommodation for families across the United Kingdom.

Wates Residential have launched ‘A Way Back Home’ in partnership with the LDN Collective and others, a modular housing initiative that sets out a practical alternative to hotels and hostels for families in temporary accommodation.

Households in temporary accommodation are at a record high, with many families living in poor quality settings far from schools, jobs and support networks. A way back home uses factory built modular homes to provide safe, energy efficient and family friendly places to live while permanent homes are brought forward.

The LDN Collective has worked with Wates to develop the approach and bring together a delivery team. Members Strata Consultancy, Conisbee and RCKa have designed and delivered a full scale prototype home, showcased at the New Homes in New Ways summit at the Building Centre in London. The prototype was taken from brief to installation in around two months and demonstrates how quickly high quality modular homes can be delivered.

A first live project has been submitted for planning in the London Borough of Havering, working with a wider consortium including HTA Design, Rollalong, Mishcon de Reya and Avison Young. The scheme will provide new modular homes for families who would otherwise be placed in hotels and hostels.

To support wider take up, Wates and the LDN Collective are publishing an industry play book for A way back home that explains the model, design principles, legal structure and delivery route. The aim is for local authorities, housing providers and partners anywhere in the country to adapt the approach to their own land and housing strategies.

If you would like to learn more about A way back home or discuss how the model could work in your area, please contact the LDN Collective team.