Shipping containers as homes

fufu_banterwaite

I noticed this story in the Metro a few weeks ago:

http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/09/heres-my-home-its-simply-crate-could-thinking-inside-the-box-solve-housing-crisis-4140920/

Basically it is about a charity and housing association in London that have started offering shipping containers as affordable housing – the rent is £75 a week, which is pretty much unheard of in London!

I’m just wondering has anyone else considered buying a shipping container (or two) and converting it into a home? As long as you are happy living in a small space it strikes me as a particularly cost effective way of getting on the housing ladder.

I ask this as a single person in their early 30’s living in the South-East, who despite earning a decent salary, still can’t get on the housing ladder!

[Deleted User]

I think its a brilliant idea.., but like the modular home idea a couple of years back.., it is relatively small scale. At this point in time, its meant for young people that would otherwise be homeless, and is only meant to be used by the tenant for one year.

ging84

i used to live in a studio flat which i think was about the size and shape of a shipping container

fufu_banterwaite

Yes that scheme is specifically for young people that would be homeless. But I googled “shipping container home conversions” and there are a few companies that say they will offer help with converting a shipping container to a home and even issues around planning and buying them etc.

To be honest I’ve never really wanted a big house - along as it has a bed, kitchen, shower room and a small living space I’d be happy and like you ging84 I’ve lived in flats that are probably about the same size as shipping containers!

CLAPTON

the main problems about providing new homes in London are

-price and availability of land
-planning regulations and restrictions
-thermal insulation rules


not knowing the details, clearly these are heavily subsidised and have got round the planning rules (maybe by being temporary buildings

McKneff

Its a brilliant idea, there was a programme on the TV about it not too long ago.

somethingcorporate

McKneff wrote: »

Its a brilliant idea, there was a programme on the TV about it not too long ago.

Indeed, and I remember reading about it in the metro a year or two back. It's a great idea.

kathrynha

I think it's a great idea for single people. Self contained, and if you are out at work all day you don't really need much space.
With a bit of thought put in to the layout, decent soundproofing and insultaion the would be brilliant for student accomodation. Also good for elderly people (similar size to old people bungalows).

And shipping containers come in different sizes (I believe up to 60 foot), so could be suitable for families too.

Doozergirl

CLAPTON wrote: »

the main problems about providing new homes in London are

-price and availability of land
-planning regulations and restrictions
-thermal insulation rules


not knowing the details, clearly these are heavily subsidised and have got round the planning rules (maybe by being temporary buildings

You can easily insulate a shipping container to meet building regulations.

There's also nothing to say that you can't get planning permissionfor a box like structure.

I'm sure they meet every standard they need to. We've talked through doing one as an annex.

PasturesNew

We don't need ideas. We need affordable plots of land in the right places to be able to stick a container or whatever. A shipping container is no different to a mobile home, or a chalet, or any one of 100 innovative housing ideas..... all of which ignore the elephant in the room: Cost of land, availability of land.

lincroft1710

This idea has been around for several years and the containers can be stacked vertically so less land is needed.

Land in UK is often available quite cheaply, but planners won't allow development.

I often wonder if all the "second" homes (not holiday caravans/chalets) were pressed into service as "first" homes, what difference it would make to the housing shortage.