WORCESTER is to get its first micro-home to tackle rough sleeping after city planners gave the scheme the green light.

The Homeless Foundation has gained approval from planners for an iKozie Micro-Home in St George's Lane, Barbourne, Worcester.

The iKozie is designed to house young people who find themselves homeless and provide a base to enable them get back on their feet.

Measuring 186 square foot (17.25sqm), the iKozie will be built using modular construction off-site and lifted into position via a crane in the back garden of an existing house upon completion.

The prefabricated structure, set on a galvanised steel base, can be moved to another location at any time.

If the pilot is successful more micro-homes could be installed in Worcester. The Foundation say they do not know yet when the first micro-home will be put in place or when the first tenant will move in.

Due to be used for move-on accommodation to help the homeless people transition from hostels into independent living, it features a living area, full-fitted kitchen complete with appliances, a bedroom and a bathroom.

Kieran O'Donnell, trustee of the Homeless Foundation, said: "We are extremely grateful to Worcester City Council for embracing this innovative idea.

"There is a huge shortage of move-on accommodation for the homeless and we are delighted that we can now build the first of many affordable, micro-homes and continue our mission to help the homeless move on to independent living."

It’s also been suggested that the iKozie Micro-Home could aid in helping young people get a home of their own and get away from shared housing, as rents would be similar.

Costing around £40,000 each to build, they are relatively inexpensive in comparison to traditional homes.

Working well on brownfield sites, they can also be stacked to create new sustainable mixed communities for students, young professionals and key workers in addition to the homeless.

Cllr Roger Berry, cabinet member for housing and heritage, said: "With increased pressure on the public purse, cost effective and innovative solutions like this are projects the council is proud to support.”

The scheme was welcomed by Jonathan Sutton, chief executive of St Paul's Hostel who said: "This scheme is welcomed but it been developed in a vacuum created by a county homeless strategy that's, frankly, a relic.

"A new, strategy, grounded on thorough analysis of the 'homeless problem' is well over due - and that's the role of our local authorities to sort out. I wish they would please hurry up and produce one."

Designed in conjunction with Eastabrook Architects, based in Gloucestershire, and planning consultants, Planning Prospects from Worcestershire, the ergonomic house was inspired by yacht interiors and First Class airline suites.

Extremely robust yet compact, the house could be the first of many used to cure the housing crisis and improve the supply of affordable housing.

The Homeless Foundation is a small registered charity (Registered No. 1122802) operating in Worcestershire and the West Midlands. Formed in 2007, their key aim is to eradicate homelessness.

For more information visit www.homelessthf.org