The first of 40 flats for homeless people to be created from shipping containers are taking shape and will arrive in Ilford later this year.

Redbridge Council’s planning committee unanimously backed Ilford Salvation Army’s Project Malachi application to create 40 temporary homes in shipping containers in Clements Road, Ilford, in April 2018.

The first of the shipping containers to be converted are being worked on at a site in Shrewsbury and are due to start arriving on site by October.

Captain John Clifton, of Ilford’s Salvation Army Corps, said: “We are looking forward to seeing people moving in once the fitting out of the rooms has taken place.

The Salvation Army has been providing support for rough sleepers at its night shelter in Clements Road and will continue to do so while preparation for Project Malachi is ongoing.

Capt Clifton added: “The volunteers of The Salvation Army night shelter have been working tirelessly to be able to accommodate people while we wait for the building to be ready.

“Their commitment and compassion is immense and deserves a huge thank you from the wider community in Redbridge.”

The project is named after ten-year-old Malachi Justin, who sent a letter and £5 donation to Ilford Salvation Army two years ago asking for his money to assist Redbridge’s homeless.

Last week, Malachi visited Salvation Army volunteers in Clements Road to see the site where foundations for the new apartments have started to be laid.

Each individual apartment will contain an open plan living and dining area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Ilford’s Salvation Army Corps will provide qualified volunteers to stay on site 24/7 to support the rough sleepers who will be staying there.

The site will also house a bike hub where Redbridge’s homeless and unemployed will be trained to fix bikes as part of the Salvation Army’s Recycle scheme.