Kieran Evans, 18, who has spent over a year sleeping rough on the streets, likened his new home to a 'compact luxury apartment'
A TEENAGER has become the first person to move into a "micro-home" designed to tackle Britain's homelessness problem and housing crisis.
Kieran Evans, 18, likened his new home to a "compact luxury apartment" as he was handed the keys yesterday, after spending over a year sleeping rough on the streets.
Measuring 186 square foot, the one-person spaces cost just £40,000 each to build and were inspired by yachts and first-class aeroplane cabins.
Kieran is hoping to rebuild his life after moving into the innovative cabin, which was air-lifted into the grounds of a charity-run shared house in Barbourne, Worcester.
The teenager, who who spent time at a YMCA hostel before moving into temporary accommodation, said: "I'm ecstatic, genuinely so happy to have my own space."
The iKozies, which boast a bedroom, fully-furnished kitchen, a bathroom 'module' and an entertainment zone, are the first of their kind in the world, and could be installed across the UK if the pilot scheme is successful.
The project is run by the Homeless Foundation, and tenants like Kieran will be expected to take responsibility for paying for rent, water bills and food.
As in most other British cities, Worcester’s two hostels are almost always full - forcing some to sleep on the streets.
Joanne O'Donnell, a trustee of the charity, said: "Rough sleeping is just the tip of the iceberg.
"The biggest issue in homelessness is the plight of young homeless people who cannot afford a home and end up sofa surfing or in hostels and temporary accommodation.
"The iKozie will provide a home for Kieran and will hopefully help him to secure his own tenancy with a Housing Association by proving that he can live independently and sustain a tenancy."
The charity believes the accommodation could one day be used to house students and young professionals in areas most affected by the housing crisis.
Since the iKozies are manufactured off-site and then lifted into place, it has been suggested that councils and other organisations could stack them on top of each other to create "sustainable communities".
The iKozies designer, Andrew Eastabrook, said: "I believe this is a world first.
"We think it feels really nice inside. We will be moving on to do a lot more of these. This is the proof of the concept."
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