Redbridge’s homeless community has sadly been growing in recent years. Therefore, as part of the Homelessness Strategy, the London Borough of Redbridge wanted to work in partnership with the Salvation Army to deliver Project Malachi, a circa 42 bed hostel intended to provide accommodation to support the homeless community, including those with no recourse to public funds.

Pellings was appointed by the London Borough of Redbridge for the provision of Employers Agent, Cost Consultant, Principal Designer, Client Advisor (in accordance with CDM regulations) and Clerk of Works services.

The new modular housing block includes a bicycle repair shop on the ground floor which is managed by the Salvation Army and provides support and training for the residents from the housing above. The shop recycles used bicycles and trains people to repair and resell them, boosting employability for the residents in the process. By creating more jobs, it induces a positive multiplier effect as residents can become more self-sufficient and their quality of life can improve.

It was highly rewarding to be involved in this scheme as we place the needs of the community at the heart of everything we do. Tackling wider societal issues, such as homelessness and unemployability rates, is important to us, so adding extra value by providing work opportunities alongside housing is something we are very proud of.