The UK’s largest purpose-built village for rough sleepers is being planned for one of Manchester’s most desirable neighbourhoods.
Embassy Village will provide homes for 40 men in purpose-built pods underneath railway arches in the Castlefield district.
The land, sandwiched between the River Irwell and the Bridgewater Canal, has been given to the project on a free 125-year lease by Peel Group.
After planning permission was granted this summer, Embassy founder Sid Williams, helped by Capital & Centric founder Tim Heatley, is on a mission to raise £3m to build the village.
Residents will be able to stay for a maximum of two years and will pay no more than the local housing allowance – currently £302 a month for a room in a shared house or £552 for a one-bed flat.
Embassy will soon open a separate, more low-key project for homeless women fleeing domestic violence.
See also: Tim Heatley: How my childhood shaped my view of social impact
