Coronavirus: 30 heated cabins installed in Gosport car park for up to 60 homeless people during lockdown

TEMPORARY homeless shelters for up to 60 people have been installed in a car park as other sources of beds dry up.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 3rd Apr 2020, 15:58 BST
Updated 3rd Apr 2020, 16:34 BST
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The 30 two-person cabins, complete with shower and chemical toilet, will house rough sleepers for the duration of the lockdown period.

Gosport Borough Council is spending £14,000 a week on the measures, brought in to protect the vulnerable.

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They were installed at Walpole Park, in Gosport, and will be maintained by the supplier.

Self-contained temporary accommodation units in Walpole Park car park in Gosport. They were installed by Gosport Borough Council as the authority cannot place people in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Picture: Gosport Borough CouncilSelf-contained temporary accommodation units in Walpole Park car park in Gosport. They were installed by Gosport Borough Council as the authority cannot place people in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Picture: Gosport Borough Council
Self-contained temporary accommodation units in Walpole Park car park in Gosport. They were installed by Gosport Borough Council as the authority cannot place people in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Picture: Gosport Borough Council

Hotels are usually used but are unavailable, the council said. Demand has increased, putting pressure on other accommodation.

Julie Smith, head of housing at the council, said: ‘We're very happy to be able to provide these cabins for people who need emergency housing in the current crisis.

‘It's a creative approach to providing an essential service during a very difficult time.

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‘The cabins are needed because our normal sources of temporary accommodation, such as hotels, aren't available, and we have an increased demand.

Self-contained temporary accommodation units in Walpole Park car park in Gosport. They were installed by Gosport Borough Council as the authority cannot place people in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Picture: Gosport Borough CouncilSelf-contained temporary accommodation units in Walpole Park car park in Gosport. They were installed by Gosport Borough Council as the authority cannot place people in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Picture: Gosport Borough Council
Self-contained temporary accommodation units in Walpole Park car park in Gosport. They were installed by Gosport Borough Council as the authority cannot place people in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Picture: Gosport Borough Council

‘These units will be used by people in need of safe, secure accommodation, including homeless people and people coming out of hospital with nowhere suitable to live.’

Units have fridges and microwaves, and are heated and insulated. A person will be allocated a unit, and only moved if better accomodation is available.

Bedding, kettle, cutlery, crockery and other household items have been provided.

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Posting on the council’s Facebook page, Charley Pulford said: ‘Great idea. Maybe we should have a few of these over at QA (Hospital) for doctors and nurses who are exhausted and have been travelling to and from work.’

Gwyneth Leary added: ‘Fabulous news! This is what we need all over the world! Thank you for actually doing something for people.’

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