Advertisement
Housing

Social Bite homeless village residents will be home for Christmas

Work has started on a new homeless village that aims to bite back against social housing issues. Residents are set to make the move to Social Bite’s pioneering project before Christmas.

A new village for the homeless will give an early festive present to residents by allowing them to move in before Christmas.

The 1.5 acre Social Bite village – run by the Edinburgh social enterprise sandwich shop that employs homeless people – will consist of 10 purpose-built two bedroom homes and a communal building for residents north of the Scottish capital in Granton.

It is hoped that the pioneering project will allow residents to bite back at issues that have troubled them in society as well as adding a fresh social housing offering for those in need.

Shovels are already in the ground on the ambitious project and will help up to 20 people living in unsupported temporary accommodation, shelters, hostels and B&Bs. They will be housed in the village for up to 12 months.

The first home, which was designed by architect Jonathan Avery of Tiny House Scotland, is set to go on public view in St Andrews Square for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival throughout August before it is placed in the village alongside the other dwellings before Christmas.

The energy efficient, eco-friendly, sustainable homes will each have two loft bedrooms, a shared bathroom with a shower, a lounge with a wood burner, and a small kitchen and dining area.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

Each home, manufactured by Carbon Dynamics, will be made of sustainable materials and feature transportable housing units which will allow them to easily be relocated in the future

Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn insists that the project will allow people to get themselves back on their feet with a credible alternative to what he believes is a ‘broken temporary accommodation system’ for homeless people.

The village is only a small part of a much bigger answer required to end homelessness but it could be a blueprint for the future

He said: “We’re so pleased that the Social Bite village will be up and running this year and we’re edging closer and closer to creating what we believe can be an effective alternative to a broken temporary accommodation system for people struggling with homelessness.

“The end result will be an inclusive, compassionate community that will provide a vital support network to people who are ready to be helped back into society.

“The village is only a small part of a much bigger answer required to end homelessness but it could be a blueprint for how social enterprise, charity, council and corporates work together on a solution that makes a difference.”

More than 300 of Scotland’s top business and political figures slept rough in December last year to raise money for the scheme in Social Bite’s CEO Sleep Out.

The firm will also pair up with partner Cyrenians – a Scottish homeless charity – to provide support to residents during their stay before helping them rebuild their lives back in society.

The end result will be an inclusive, compassionate community that will provide a vital support network

Littlejohn added: “Only seven months ago we experienced an incredible night with some of the country’s most successful and influential people taking part in our CEO Sleep Out to raise the money that would turn this from a nice idea into a reality and make a real impact to people who need our help.

“Now we’re about to break ground on the site and the first house will be displayed in St Andrews Square throughout August for anyone to come and see.”

Pic credit: Jonathan Avery Tiny House Scotland

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Mum-of-two shares experience of 'dehumanising' DWP benefits system: 'It could kill somebody'
Image of Naomi Lihou
Benefits

Mum-of-two shares experience of 'dehumanising' DWP benefits system: 'It could kill somebody'

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds
keir starmer walking
Benefits

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits
Department for Work and Pensions

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds
London Trans+ Pride
LGBTQ+ rights

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue