A DAD-OF-FOUR from Chester believes he has come up with the perfect solution to the nation’s homelessness crisis – converted shipping containers.

Kieran Molloy, 31, has started up a new company called Boomboxes Ltd which transforms the basic metal storage units into fully-functioning homes.

Working alongside fellow directors Wesley Dodd and Liverpool-based boxer Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd, he hopes to ensure everyone can live independently with a roof over their head.

Chester and District Standard:

Kieran Molloy, Sean Dodd and Wesley Dodd, of Boomboxes Ltd.

Kieran, of Willow Crescent, Hoole, has a background in the construction industry and worked as a crane operator until he suffered a serious industrial accident last year.

His idea is to allow homeless people, armed forces veterans, those recently released from prison and anyone else looking for a home to learn the skills to help construct it.

He said: “These homes can allow people to get their foot on the property ladder and are also a chance for local councils to house the many homeless people at a low cost. They can be made in all designs and sizes and can be built very quickly.

“This will also bring job opportunities for the homeless people who can learn a trade and hopefully we can help many people turn their lives around.

“Out of our company profits, which will be a lot smaller than most companies, we plan to put on training and bring professionals in each different trade to train local people who find it difficult to find work and build their own self-worth and give opportunities to many people.”

Kieran said it was hard to give an exact costing for each shipping container unit although some have suggested they could each be built for £35,000 and within a week.

He added: “Rather than move a family you could also use the shipping containers to extend the council properties and you wouldn’t have to try and find bigger properties which aren’t readily available.

“Also properties can be built on wasteland in Chester, Liverpool, and all over the country. Housing is one thing local councils need more of.

“We also aim to help people with mental health problems and addictions as part of the programme.”

The three company directors have already spoken to Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson who they say has been supportive.

They are now looking to secure a meeting with Cheshire West and Chester Council to pitch their idea to planning and housing chiefs.

They have sat down with City of Chester MP Chris Matheson who has applauded the ethos behind their company.

Mr Matheson told The Standard: "I have met Kieran about this idea and I am glad he is committed to seeking innovative solutions to the housing crisis. There is no doubt that we need to start thinking radically about housing, so re-using existing resources, self-build and more traditional housing construction all have to play a role in that.

"The biggest issue we face in Chester is of course land, the council is building the first council houses in Cheshire West and Chester for 40 years but they are not in Chester because it is hard to identify land. I suspect we would face the same problem in the case of Mr Molloy's proposals, on top of any subsequent planning constraints.”

He stressed that tackling homelessness entails more than just providing roofs over heads.

"In terms of homelessness, especially when it also involves challenges around mental health or drug and alcohol addiction, I think the solutions will need to go far deeper than just housing,” Mr Matheson said.

“I don't have all the answers, but I do know the problem is growing and I think we should welcome all ideas on how we can work together to find solutions to these challenges."

For more information on Boomboxes Ltd email boomboxes2018@gmail.com