Read Time: 5 mins
The UK’s housing crisis is reaching record levels. By March 2025, more than 131,000 households in England were living in temporary accommodation, the highest figure ever recorded (England Shelter). Local councils, the authorities responsible for housing and community services, are under immense pressure, spending billions each year on hotels and B&Bs just to keep families off the streets.
As costs rise and homelessness grows, one solution is gaining momentum: modular housing pods. Quick to build, cost-effective, and far more dignified than a hotel room, pods are emerging as a practical tool for councils.
At GlampLaunch, we’ve adapted our expertise in modular pod design, honed through years of building high-quality glamping pods, to help councils deliver safe, flexible housing at speed.
Why Modular Pods Work for Councils
Unlike traditional builds, pods are prefabricated off-site and installed in just 6–12 weeks. For councils facing urgent demand, they offer clear advantages:
• Speed: Up to 70% faster than conventional construction, with units factory-built while groundwork is completed (PBC Today).
• Cost efficiency: Typically £10,000–£30,000 each, far less than the spiralling spend on hotels and B&Bs. Running costs are minimal, with some units using as little as £5 of electricity a week (PBC Today).
• Flexibility: Installable on disused land, school sites, or car parks, and relocatable as needs change (Cardiff Journalism).
• Privacy: Each pod is self-contained with a private entrance, kitchen, and bathroom, giving residents stability and privacy (Homeless.org).
• Minimal disruption: Off-site construction keeps noise and disturbance for communities to a minimum.
Interior of The "Viking" Pod- 2 Person
Key Use Cases for Local Authorities
Councils are increasingly recognising that modular housing can address multiple pressures at once:
• Emergency housing for the homeless: Safe, private accommodation for rough sleepers or families in crisis (PBC Today).
• Housing for asylum seekers and refugees: A community-based alternative to costly hotels (Newsroom Pembrokeshire).
• Key worker housing: Affordable, on-site homes for nurses, teachers, and other essential staff.
• Student accommodation: Temporary “pod villages” for university towns, later repurposed for other needs.
• Families awaiting permanent homes: Local, short-term housing instead of distant B&B placements.
GlampLaunch has created a range of pod layouts designed to meet different housing needs, from compact single-person units to family-ready homes, giving councils the flexibility to match the right solution to each situation.
For example:
• 4-person pod layout: A fully self-contained home with its own kitchen and bathroom, ideal for families.
• 3-person glamping pod layout: Sleeping-only design that can be paired with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities for cost efficiency.
• 2-person glamping pod layout: A compact unit that still includes a private kitchen or living space, offering comfort and independence.
• 2 Person Modular Off-Grid Home: A cube-shaped unit that includes its own private kitchen and bathroom, or can be configured into extra bedrooms for flexible living.
Examples of Councils Already Using Pods
Several UK councils have already proven the model:
• Cardiff Council – Yr Hafan: Since 2023, this scheme has provided modular homes for homeless families on a former gasworks site. Its success has led to a five-year extension, with over 200 units now in use across the city.
• Haringey, London – Olive Morris Court: In 2021, Haringey installed 32 SoloHaus pods for rough sleepers through the Mayor’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, with further units now being added.
• Pembrokeshire – Hubberston Pod Pilot: Eight pods were installed on a former school site in 2020 with Welsh Government funding, with expansion to 30 homes now underway.
• Bristol – Small Homes in Eastville: In partnership with Places for People, Bristol opened seven modular homes in 2025, following an earlier eight-unit scheme, to support vulnerable individuals.
• Redbridge, London – Malachi Place: A pop-up hostel using shipping containers to house 42 people, run with the Salvation Army, including a bike workshop and community support services.
Together, these projects show how pods can be adapted to different contexts, from family housing to single-person units, and deployed at speed.
Cost and Speed vs Traditional Housing
Councils in England spent a record £2.1 billion on temporary accommodation in 2023–24, much of it on hotels and B&Bs (Local Gov). By contrast, a typical pod costing around £45,000 can replace 6–12 months of B&B bills for a family, after which the council owns the unit outright.
Pods can also be delivered in 3–6 months, compared with 18–24 months for traditional builds. Councils can start small, with 5–10 pods, and scale up as demand grows. This mix of lower costs, speed, and flexibility makes modular housing one of the most compelling solutions available.
Cosy 2 Person Off-Grid Bedroom
GlampLaunch: Partnering with Councils
At GlampLaunch, we’ve spent nearly two decades perfecting modular pod design. While our roots are in luxury glamping, we’ve evolved to meet a bigger challenge: supporting councils in tackling the housing crisis.
Our pods are:
• Durable: Built to last 20+ years with FSC-certified timber and reinforced steel frames.
• Year-round ready: Insulated, energy-efficient, and fully compliant with UK building standards.
• Adaptable: Available in layouts for single occupants, families, and accessible needs.
• Turnkey: From permissions to installation, we handle every stage of delivery.
Pods can be deployed as single units, family homes, or scaled into full “pod villages,” giving councils housing that is fast to deliver, flexible, and designed with dignity.
Conclusion
Modular pods are reshaping the way UK councils provide temporary housing. Faster to deploy, more affordable to run, and far more dignified than traditional stopgaps, they offer a lifeline for those in urgent need.
For councils, the case is clear: invest in modular pods today to cut hotel costs tomorrow and build stronger, more resilient communities for the future.
At GlampLaunch, we’re ready to help. Our high-quality modular housing solutions are designed to meet council needs on budget, on time, and with the dignity residents deserve.
Get in touch to explore pilot projects and see how pods can make a tangible difference in your community.
Discover how GlampLaunch supports public sector projects. Learn more here!
Summary
• Over 131,000 households in England were in temporary accommodation by March 2025, pushing councils to spend billions on hotels and B&Bs.
• Modular housing pods provide a faster, cheaper, and more dignified alternative, typically costing £10k–£30k and installable in 6–12 weeks.
• Benefits include speed (up to 70% faster than traditional builds), cost efficiency, flexibility for different sites, and privacy with self-contained kitchens and bathrooms.
• Use cases include emergency housing, asylum seeker accommodation, key worker homes, student housing, and short-term family solutions.
• UK councils like Cardiff, Haringey, Bristol, and Pembrokeshire have already adopted pod schemes with proven success.
• Pods reduce long-term costs: a single unit (~£45k) can replace months of hotel bills while becoming a lasting council asset.
• GlampLaunch pods are durable, insulated, adaptable, and turnkey, designed to meet urgent housing needs while maintaining resident dignity.
FAQs
1. How much do modular housing pods cost for UK councils?
Modular pods typically cost £10,000–£30,000 each, far less than ongoing hotel and B&B bills. A single pod costing around £45,000 can replace 6–12 months of B&B expenses for a family, after which the council owns the unit outright.
2. How quickly can modular pods be installed compared to traditional housing?
Pods are prefabricated off-site and can be delivered in just 6–12 weeks, while traditional housing builds usually take 18–24 months. This speed makes pods an ideal solution for councils facing urgent housing pressures.
3. What facilities do modular pods provide for temporary housing?
Each pod is self-contained, offering a private entrance, kitchen, and bathroom. GlampLaunch designs range from compact 2-person layouts to 4-person family homes, as well as options for key workers, asylum seekers, and students.
4. Which UK councils are already using modular pods?
Several councils have proven the model, including Cardiff (Yr Hafan, 200+ units), Haringey (32 SoloHaus pods), Pembrokeshire (expanding to 30 homes), Bristol (seven modular homes in Eastville), and Redbridge (Malachi Place, housing 42 people).
