Work starts on Embassy Village housing scheme for rough sleepers
Work has begun on Embassy Village, a scheme to provide housing for Manchester’s homeless beneath 22 railway arches which will house 40 homeless men and provide a village hall, outdoor green spaces, mini allotments and a multi-use sports area.
In 2021 Greater Manchester-based charity, Embassy, joined forces with a pro-bono team led by developers Peel Waters – part of The Peel Group – and Capital&Centric, alongside the city’s business community to bring forward Embassy Village, the UK’s largest purpose-built village for rough sleepers.
Embassy will be responsible for the management and operation of the village, which it says will not be a homeless shelter, but a purpose-built community in which residents will have to commit to six hours of training per week in shopping, cooking and budgeting.
The village hall will be complete with a counselling room, laundry room and communal computers, plus a training kitchen to help residents learn to cook.
CGI of Embassy Village
Since planning consent was granted in 2021, Embassy and partners have been focused on fundraising. Through a £3.5m donation from the Moulding Foundation and further substantial donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation and Benefact Trust, the first phase of the village can now begin which will include the village hall, completion of 24 homes and staff accommodation.
Liverpool-based Vermont Construction Group has been appointed to build the scheme for no profit and expects to complete phase one of Embassy Village by late 2025.
James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, Tim Heatley, co-founder at Capital&Centric, and Sid Williams the co-founder and Director of Embassy, marked the start on site at a special event with the organisations which have offered their services for free to design and plan Embassy Village.
James Whittaker said: “Starting the build of Embassy Village is a very significant moment for us and our partners who have worked on this meaningful project.
“From forming the initial concept of using our land for the most vulnerable in our society during a breakfast with Mayor Andy Burnham, to pulling together the huge team of consultants working on a pro bono basis, we are extremely proud of our involvement and continuous support of this amazing project.”
Tim Heatley said: “Initiatives such as this show how big things can happen when the people and businesses of Greater Manchester come together. A city is judged on how it looks after its most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents and once again our city region is leading the way.”
Plans for the Embassy Village
Mark Connor, founder and CEO of Vermont Group said: “Being able to commence the Embassy Village today is such an achievement. We all have a collective responsibility to deal with this issue and our work at Embassy Village doesn’t just set out to offer warm homes and a village hall, but to create a real community and support system for people who need it.”
A further £m is required for the remaining units and to complete phase two of Embassy Village. Embassy is now working with the business community, individuals and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to secure funds for the long-term village running costs.
Sid Williams said: “Buying an A-lister tour bus to house homeless people seemed a big vision when we started, and yet here we are not so long later at the start of building an entire village.
“We couldn’t have done this without the incredible companies, individuals and trusts who have given their support to the project and believed in our vision.”
Jodie Moulding, co-founder of The Moulding Foundation, said: “For most people, access to housing, healthcare, and education is a given, but for others, it is a privilege. The Moulding Foundation helps to change that.”
