Modular Homes and a Housing Lifeline

Following the launch of the latest addition to its portfolio – FAMILYHAUS™ – VOLUMETRIC™ now offers a long-term, sustainable housing solution that could provide a lifeline to vulnerable families and recognises the demand for high-quality interim homes.

As a specialist manufacturer of modular housing solutions, VOLUMETRIC™ has seen incredible success over the past couple of years. The award-winning company has seen its innovative MODULHAUS™ range go from strength to strength, delivering modular homes to projects across the UK.

VOLUMETRIC™ developed its range to help mitigate growing pressures on the UK social housing market. Utilising expert offsite knowledge, the VOLUMETRIC™ team has garnered significant industry recognition for their high-quality, fully-fitted modular homes designed to meet rapidly changing accommodation needs.

The VOLUMETRIC™ single-occupancy unit, SOLOHAUS™, achieved high acclaim, winning the coveted Winner of Winners prize at the 2021 Offsite Awards. Further success followed with a win for their double-occupancy offering, DUOHAUS™, in the Product Innovation category at the 2022 Offsite Awards, whilst being a finalist in several other industry Awards. This year, the company expanded its manufacturing facilities and storage capacity allowing for speedy and efficient delivery of homes from stock at short notice.

The company, working with local authorities, charities, and councils across the country to combat the growing housing crisis, has already installed over 200 fully-fitted homes to areas of high need. Having designed a proven solution to meet the rising numbers of single people suffering homelessness in the UK and a cost effective accommodation solution for keyworkers, VOLUMETRIC™ now offers a high-quality, energy-efficient solution to the latest housing crisis to sweep the UK.

Figures shown in the English Housing Survey: a segmentation analysis of private renters, a yearly report collated by the government, evidence that rising living costs are putting vulnerable families in the private renting market at high risk of eviction. Increased rent prices and the removal of protections put into place during COVID-19 have seen a 39% increase in bailiff evictions between April and June last year. According to the survey, those classified as ‘struggling families’ represent the highest proportion of households (with dependent children) who will likely need to move from private rental to social housing. This will put further demands on limited social housing stock and increase the already surging waiting lists, placing increased pressure on local authorities, particularly in areas already suffering from housing shortages.

‘Struggling families’ make up approximately 473,000 UK households, with those figures likely to grow. Reported to be most likely to experience overcrowding, the survey also states that 43% of these families live in homes deemed unfit for purposes that fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard. Major problems reported included issues with dampness, mould, and condensation. As more families become at risk of being forced out of the private rental market, local authorities need a fast and reliable long-term solution to what will undoubtedly mean more strain on the already over-subscribed UK social housing stock.

Welcome to FAMILYHAUS™

Following the launch of the FAMILYHAUS™ model at Offsite Expo 2022, Victoria Moore, VOLUMETRIC™ business development manager, said: “It has been fantastic to see the range developing over the past 12 months. We have already proven the success of our single and duo-occupancy homes, and it feels like now is the time to look at the housing needs of vulnerable families. We have designed FAMILYHAUS™ to exceed performance requirements, offering high-quality, energy-efficient homes in areas where a rapid solution is needed for those at risk.

“The positive reactions to our launch have been great and speaking to people about the benefits FAMILYHAUS™ provides gives us an opportunity to show the difference these homes can make. We are now looking forward to working with local authorities and registered providers to deliver our FAMILYHAUS™ units across the UK.”

Designed to accommodate two adults and two children, FAMILYHAUS™ comes fully furnished with quality interior fittings and energy-efficient white goods. BOPAS-certified, future proof for Building Regulation changes, and LABC Assured, with a 60-year design life, the model exceeds the Future Homes Standards, offering assured quality throughout its lifetime. VOLUMETRIC™ offer fast and reliable delivery and installation, utilising their advanced production facility to manufacture offsite. Provided on a turnkey basis, all VOLUMETRIC™ modular homes can be configured to provide mixed scheme occupancy on the basis that all modules in the range are fully interoperable. Ongoing maintenance is straightforward and hassle-free, with a simple to use Operation and Maintenance Manual provided with each module, along with a Home User Guide. The system sits on six low-impact foundation pads to minimise groundwork and requires only electric, water, and waste connections.

VOLUMETRIC™ has developed a highly-focused energy-efficiency strategy for all modular homes in the range, including FAMILYHAUS™, which offers exceptional heat, thermal, and acoustic performance. All modules are delivered to the site in one load, minimising site traffic.

To optimise energy efficiency, VOLUMETRIC™ also supply and fit purpose-built energy centres. An innovative solution to energy supply, each centre can meet the requirements of up to six FAMILYHAUS™ homes. Once installed, the energy centre uses intelligent technology to digitally connect to each home, allowing for instant management of energy requirements, hot water, and heating, all minimised by exceptional module fabric energy efficiency performance in terms of airtightness and thermal performance. Modules have mains connection, and energy generated via optional solar panels during the day by the energy centre can be stored in battery cells until required. Surplus energy can be sold back into the grid, carbon offsetting and creating net zero living.

Secure, robust, and cost-effective, FAMILYHAUS™ represents an opportunity to provide comfortable, safe homes for families facing uncertain futures. The expert team at VOLUMETRIC™ continues to innovate and develop by creating modular solutions to meet current housing needs and offer long-term permanent or relocatable solutions to meet future demands.

For information on FAMILYHAUS™ or to request a brochure visit: www.volumetric.co.uk