Homelessness in the UK is a particular problem, made worse by the recent recession, benefit cuts and a structural shortage of new housing in the South of England.
In Brighton, the local housing trust in partnership with the private sector has come up with an innovative solution involving shipping containers which could soon be introduced in other parts of the country if successful.
Early indications from residents hints that shipping containers do provide a cheap and affordable alternative to building houses using traditional bricks and mortar.
QED Property and WCEC Architecture in partnership with the Brighton Housing Trust decided to build the new shipping container-based housing development for people at risk of losing their homes.
Another major plus for the scheme is that the shipping containers have been placed on former commercial land in the centre of Brighton, which would otherwise have remained underused according to the developers.
The shipping containers used in the development measure a standard 40ft (12.9 metres) and feature all the facilities required for habitable dwellings including a toilet, kitchen and sleeping quarters.
On the whole residents reported that they were happy with the size and interior décor with the only drawback being insulation, which pushed up the cost of heating.