English County Purchases 'Micro Houses' for The Homeless

Cornwall, located in the south of England, has purchased 29 "micro homes" to address the housing crisis in the area. The SoloHaus homes, which are small one-bedroom houses, are already being used in other parts of the UK, including Ipswich, London, and Cambridge. These homes can be manufactured in a factory in just 20 days and then transported by trucks to where they're needed. They can easily be connected to water and electricity supplies.

Each house has a total area of 24 square meters and includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room. Charities have worked alongside the manufacturer to design the homes, especially for homeless people, and they are built to last for up to 60 years. According to the manufacturer, these homes are cheaper than typical temporary accommodation, and residents can expect to pay around $7 per week on electricity bills. Additionally, they are designed to be warm in winter, cool in summer, and use less water.

The micro homes come fully furnished, with plates, towels, and other necessities included. Cornwall is a popular tourist destination due to its beaches and sunny weather, but it is also one of the poorest areas in northern Europe. Housing costs have risen while unemployment has more than doubled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the countryside charity CPRE, around 15,000 families are on the waiting list for public housing in Cornwall, while the same number of homes is rented to tourists.