Innovation in housing supply

Y:Cube HousingYMCA London South West

What we wanted?

• Own front door• Separate double bedroom• Affordable to rent and run• Aspirational• No need for grant• Demountable• Low environmental impact• Compact

Who is Y:Cube?

• YMCA London South West– Registered RP– Operating across South

West London• Supported Housing• Health & Wellbeing• Children’s & Youth Work

• Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners– Design lead– R&D

• SIG– Main contractor

What is Y:Cube Housing?

• One bed, 26m², self contained unit for single people

• Volume-metric• ‘Back of a lorry’

• Demountable• Sustainable

• Code 4 to 6• Low carbon footprint• recyclable

• Life span of 60+ years• Good for undeveloped sites– from only 0.2 acre– brownfield sites– leased from 5-20 years

• Several LAs and housing providers keen to use

• Strong support from GLA, DCLG & HCA,

About the construction system?

• Patented technology– Code level 4/6– airtightness– Excellent acoustic &

thermal performance

• NHBC approved• System also used by

ASDA, Tesco and Sainsbury’s

• Independently assessed by Arup, Taywood, BRE

• Light weight• 8 weeks manufacture• Meets building regs.• Design life 60 years +• 20% cheaper than other

forms of construction

Design and Planning• Adaptable– Schemes can breathe– Lease sites– Cladding solutions

• Compact• Not a homelessness

solution– good design

• Last as if it’s a permanent home

• Not a life time home– Semi permanent

accommodation– Size below GLA size

standards– Sufficient for single

person for average 3-5 years

• Full residential planning application

• Scalable

Budget for 1st scheme

Capital costs•Construction £1.5m•All fees £0.2m•Land £0.4m•Total £2.1m

Key outcome•36 units plus office•£145 rent

Annual Revenue Income•Rental income £270KExpenditure•Capital + Interest £188K•Running/mgt costs £81K

Surplus £1K

Finance

• Social Investors– Charitable trusts/foundations lending

• Institutional finance• Bank finance• Retail social bond• Reserves• Local authority investment• Grant

Resident Involvement

YMCA residents involved in design and development

Social Benefits – Society

• No grant required• Scalable solution• £75K saving on benefit payments per year – Compared to typical rent of £220 for the area for

someone receiving welfare benefit

• Increase social mobility• Regeneration– Mixed communities– Community facilities

What next?

Contact Details

Andy Redfearn – Director of Housing & Development, YMCA London South Westandyredfearn@ymcalsw.orgTel 020 8339 7305www.ymcalsw.org/ycube