Introduction: A National Challenge
The UK faces a mounting challenge. With over 32,000 asylum seekers currently housed in hotels at a cost of more than £8 million per day, the system is under immense strain. The government has pledged to phase out the use of hotels for asylum accommodation by 2029, but the urgent question remains: what comes next?
The Bio-SIP™ Eco Nest offers a viable, scalable, and sustainable solution.
Why Bio-SIP™ Eco Nest?
Rapid Deployment
Eco Nests are built using Bio-SIP™ panels—Structural Insulated Panels made from recycled plastic and natural fibres. Manufactured off-site and quickly assembled on-site, Eco Nests can be produced and installed at scale. This means thousands of homes could be in place within months, not years.
Cost Efficiency
The current use of hotels drains public funds. Eco Nests present a cost-effective alternative—streamlined manufacturing, reduced labour time, and efficient logistics keep costs down. Redirecting taxpayer money into scalable, sustainable housing makes both economic and social sense.
Sustainability at the Core
Unlike conventional construction, Bio-SIP™ technology ensures:
- Ultra-low embodied carbon
- High thermal performance (reducing energy costs)
- Use of 100% post-consumer plastic waste combined with renewable natural fibres
Eco Nests are not just shelters—they’re a step toward greener housing infrastructure.
Adaptable and Reusable
Eco Nests are modular by design. They can be relocated, reconfigured, or repurposed depending on evolving needs. Once asylum seekers transition to permanent housing, Eco Nests can be integrated into local housing stock, student accommodation, or community hubs.
The Current Situation Bio-SIP™ Eco Nest
- Over 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels (March 2025)
- 218–220 hotels being used across the UK
- Government under pressure to find 5,000 homes for 20,000 migrants
- Councils resisting hotel use, citing planning issues and local disruption
Eco Nests provide a way to bypass costly and contentious hotel contracts while delivering humane, dignified housing at speed.
How Eco Nests Could Be Deployed
- Identify Available Sites – unused public land, former military bases, or disused brownfield sites.
- Fast-Track Approvals – temporary housing can qualify for accelerated planning consent.
- Pilot Schemes – demonstrate success with small-scale clusters before scaling up.
- National Rollout – ramp up manufacturing and logistics for thousands of units.
- Long-Term Integration – transition units into social housing or community projects once demand shifts.
Beyond Temporary Accommodation Bio-SIP™ Eco Nest
Eco Nests solve an immediate humanitarian challenge—but their value extends further. They can play a role in:
- Tackling the UK’s wider housing shortage
- Supporting net-zero construction goals
- Creating jobs in green manufacturing and assembly
- Demonstrating the UK’s global leadership in sustainable building innovation
Building with Purpose
The temporary accommodation crisis is more than a housing issue—it’s about dignity, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility.
The Bio-SIP™ Eco Nest delivers all three. By combining speed, sustainability, and scalability, Eco Nests can help the UK meet its pledge to end hotel use while pioneering a new era of sustainable housing.
Homes in months, not years.
👉 Learn more about Eco Nests and Bio-SIP™ innovation at www.bio-sip.co.uk