Construction company The Hill Group will deliver 24 of their low-cost modular DuoHaus homes in West Hanningfield near Chelmsford to provide accommodation for homeless people.

The purpose-built, self-contained homes set to be installed will replace an obsolete motel and will be run by CHESS Homeless; the Essex-based charity that supports people suffering from homelessness.

The charity will provide 24-hour on-site assistance and support with living skills, helping residents rebuild their independence and stability.

DuoHaus homes are innovative homes designed specifically to support and protect vulnerable residents as a follow-on housing solution to help address the homeless crisis.

Designed with a 60-year lifespan, each DuoHaus home is designed for up to two residents and is built to meet Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energy-efficiency and sound insulation.

They come fully furnished and equipped including a fitted kitchen and white goods, providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents before they find somewhere more permanent.


The 24 DuoHaus homes will be stacked on two levels and each home arrives ready for installation as they are prefabricated by Hill's manufacturing partner, Volumetric Modular Ltd.

The homes are set to be complete and ready for new residents to move in by late spring 2025, just 18 months since this project was first initiated.

The development gained planning permission recently and demolition of the former motel building and site groundworks are already underway.

As part of the redevelopment, one section of the former motel is being retained and renovated to provide an administration building where CHESS's dedicated support team will be based, as well as a communal space for residents to socialise.

In addition to the DuoHaus homes, the redevelopment will provide office and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.

The project was made possible through support from the government's Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), Chelmsford City Council, various trusts, grant-makers, individuals and pro bono contributions from the teams involved.

Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: "We're proud to be supplying these DuoHaus homes for vulnerable individuals in the Chelmsford area who need a safe space to get back on their feet. The design of DuoHaus means it is both cost and energy efficient, providing a flexible low-cost housing solution for those most in need."

TSA Riley acted as the project manager for the development. Dan Macpherson, Executive Director at TSA Riley, added: "Delivering a high-quality housing solution for some of the most vulnerable in society has been a strong motivating factor for everyone involved.

"We will have completed the project within 18 months and this speed of delivery is a fantastic testament to all the members of the project team, doing an outstanding job and collaborating effectively toward the same, very worthwhile goal."