Plans submitted for rough sleeping pods in Cambridge
The charity said homelessness is a “chronic issue” in the Greater Cambridge area
Last updated 18th Apr 2023
A charity has set out its plans to create new pod homes for people who have been rough sleeping in Cambridge.
The four modular homes are proposed to be built in Hills Avenue, on land that is currently being used as a community garden.
The scheme has been put forward by It Takes a City Community Land Trust, a charity that aims to provide a community wide response to homelessness in Cambridge.
The charity said homelessness is a “chronic issue” in the Greater Cambridge area, but said there was a “glimmer of hope beginning to emerge” through more groups coming together to try and “alleviate the challenges”.
It Takes a City has submitted a planning application to create the four pod homes in Hills Avenue, after Cambridge City Council agreed to lease the land to the charity last month.
The group has said it is also working on another scheme to provide 10 modular homes on land owned by the University of Cambridge.
Each of the four proposed pod homes will have its own front porch, a living room and kitchen area, a bathroom, and a bedroom at the back.
The homes will be single occupancy, and each person living there will have their own support worker.
The site will be managed by It Takes a City. The charity said people living in the pods will have to follow a code of behaviour, and will be moved to other accommodation if they are unable to meet the expectations.
The charity explained in planning documents submitted as part of the planning application, that each referral for someone to live in one of the pod homes will be considered “very carefully” against a set of criteria, which it said aims to “ensure the safety and peace of other residents and or neighbours”.
The group said the homes are unlikely to suit someone coming directly from rough sleeping, but would more likely be offered to people who have spent time in other temporary accommodation projects, or who are sofa surfing and looking to move one and find their first home.
It Takes a City said there will be no pressure for people to move on, as the pods are intended to be “homes not just housing”.
The charity explained that some people will “gather strength” and want to move on, whereas others may want to stay for longer periods.
In the planning documents it said: “The proposals provide attractive and secure accommodation in a residential area, integrating occupants back into the community.
“Whilst the proposals do result in the loss of two trees on site, this is mitigated by the planting of a mature new tree in a similar position to the apple tree.
“Development of the site provides much needed accommodation at a viable scale to enable It Takes a City to manage the site effectively.”