Funder: Home Group.

Team: Ana-Maria Salai, Lars Erik Holmquist, Glenda Cook (Northumbria University); David Kirk (Newcastle University); Home Group.

Timeframe: 2018-2020

Home Group is developing a modular-home based innovation village in Gateshead, commencing September 2018. This project tests over a period of 2 years modern methods of construction through modular housing builds, using smart technology to monitor their construction and subsequent performance. In the wake of demographic changes across the UK there is a need to construct new homes to address the current housing shortage. Modular homes may offer a volume solution for affordable housing that can be achieved in the near future. Housing is an important factor in supporting people with complex needs and frailty to be able to live independently in their own home. One of the 41 homes is available to Home Group’s ‘New Models of Care’ team for 12 months (May 2019-May 2020) to explore the potential for providing digital technology support within modular housing to promote residents’ independence. The technology aims in monitoring connectivity and activity for 3 client groups – older people, people with learning disability and autism.