The Fightback

The Fightback: Foundation 200 and SoloHaus

To fulfil the ambition of Foundation 200, Hill used its home building expertise to create the SoloHaus home – the very first modular home specifically designed for the homeless.

To help create these unique single person dwellings, Hill took a 50% stake in a start up design and manufacturing business, Volumetric Modular Ltd, based in Shrewsbury to design and construct various MMC products, both for the Group and eventually for third party

In April 2020, at the beginning of the first UK lockdown, Hill launched the Foundation 200 SoloHaus prototype via webcast to local authorities, charities, housing associations, suppliers and consultants. The response was overwhelming, with demand to purchase SoloHaus homes as well as interest in Hill’s pledge to deliver 200 homes. It was clear that there is high demand for a solution to the homelessness crisis, and SoloHaus is seen as being part of that solution.

This level of interest is inspiring Andy and everyone at Hill to help as many people as possible beyond the Foundation 200 pledge, with a desire to make the SoloHaus an effective solution for local authorities and charities alike.

This is an exciting mission and we hope it creates a blueprint for the future.

Emma Fletcher,
Director, Hill Group

Introducing SoloHaus

SoloHaus homes provide a safe, comfortable, and sustainable dwelling for homeless people. They offer people the opportunity to start to rebuild their lives, and can be part of the solution to the homelessness crisis.

CGI image is indicative only. The SoloHaus will benefit from being supplied with the majority of furnishings shown.

The SoloHaus Solution

SoloHaus homes are safe, welcoming spaces built to the highest standards of sustainability, efficiency, safety, and durability with a 60 year life span.

Designed with the help of leading homelessness charities and stakeholder groups, they have a considered layout, abundant natural light, and good storage. These unique retreats are specifically designed for the homeless people. They provide dignity, independence and dramatically cut the costs associated with traditional temporary accommodation: a SoloHaus home can reduce electricity bills to just £5 per week. What’s more, vulnerable people can move in right away.

Benefits & Features

Inside the SoloHaus Home

Every SoloHaus home is delivered fully furnished, equipped and ready to move into. Designed for single occupants, SoloHaus homes are quick to construct, and easy to transport and site.

SoloHaus interior
  • Cheap to run – just £5 electricity / week
  • Safe and secure
  • Fully fitted kitchen
  • Low energy white goods provided
  • Insulated to be warm in winter and cool in summer
  • Card operated electric meter, to encourage budgeting
  • Integrated cabling for Broadband and TV connectivity
  • Simple to use Operation and Maintenance Manual provided with each home
  • Fully furnished living/dining area, bedroom with storage and bathroom with shower
  • Everything residents need provided, from plates and cutlery to bedding and towels
  • Composite door and windows
  • Built off site in a factory to Future Homes Standard
  • BOPAS accredited with a 60 year life span – enables grants, loans and mortgages
  • Building Control approved design
  • Constructed with A1/A2 fire rated building materials
  • Manufactured in just 20 days
  • Easy to transport, deliver and install – can be lifted off a flatbed lorry in 30 minutes onto a site
  • Designed with homeless stakeholder groups to be anti-ligature, secure and to reduce the risk of cuckooing and other antisocial behaviour
  • 24sqm internal living environment
  • Stackable to two storeys
  • Sits on six foundation pads to minimise groundworks
  • Requires only electric, water and waste connections
  • Heated via an air source heat pump (one per six homes)
  • Soil Vent Pipe and Rainwater outlet
  • Controlled flow shower mixer and dual flush cistern to minimise water consumption
  • High quality fixtures and fittings throughout
  • Factory environment assembly
  • Quality checked throughout assembly process
  • Fully tested and commissioned pre-delivery
  • Fully traceable factory inspection and test plan linked to unique serial number

How They’re Built

How SoloHaus homes are built

SoloHaus homes are built by a newly formed business called Volumetric Modular Ltd, of which Hill are a 50% stakeholder. The business’s aim is to ensure that the SoloHaus remains affordable and accessible to as many partners as possible whilst maintaining the build standard synonymous with Hill.

With strategically placed factories in Telford and Shrewsbury, the homes can be built and transported across the country at speed. Each unit is designed with steel frames and walls using the ModulHaus technological system to provide cutting edge acoustic and thermal insulation that exceeds regulations. Each one is delivered on a single lorry and arrives ready for simple site connection and commissioning. The commissioning process includes a site installation and test plan.

Next Steps

Next Steps

The homelessness crisis is still with us, but with SoloHaus, we can provide homes to people who desperately need them.

How Foundation 200 works

  • Local Authority

    Local Authority / Housing Association partner to identify and promise land.
  • Obtaining Planning

    Obtain planning permission for SoloHaus homes on the land.
  • Factory

    Hill manages home being built in factory (MMC).
  • Local Charity

    Local Charity / Housing Association partner identified to source and manage tenants.
  • Hill prepares land for use

    Hill prepares land for use.
  • Home delivered to site

    Home delivered to site and prepared by Hill, ready for occupation
  • Tenant

    Local Charity / Housing Association partner manage tenant move-in and provide ongoing support.
  • Maintenance

    Hill manages repairs & Maintenance (R&M) for one year.

There is an opportunity to create a lasting and more sustainable answer to homelessness.

If you’re interested in finding out more about SoloHaus and how it could help homelessness in your area, please get in touch with us.

Foundation 200
SHC Partnership

For more information about SoloHaus homes

Contact us