A PROJECT to convert shipping containers into one bedroom flats in a bid to tackle homelessness in Newport has been launched.

Around 50 people turned out for the launch of the charity, Amazing Grace Spaces, at St Paul's Church yesterday.

The charity, which is the first charity of its kind in Wales, will convert shipping containers into 285 sq ft homes with a bedroom, a toilet and a living room with kitchen area.

The units will cost £20,000 to redevelop, with rent expected to cost tenants around £260 per month.

The charity's director, Stuart Johnson, who started the project with his wife Caroline, said: "We started with no funding at all, we only had an idea.

"We know that there's a need for accommodation for single people and couples and we want to accommodate that.

"To give someone their own front door is fantastic, but we have to start motivating them from that point on."

Mr Johnson added that they want to find other organisations who would like to work with them on the project and help raise funds.

The charity are also looking for grounds to build the units on, with Newport being the preferred location.

Among the visitors to the event were Simon Rose, the Housing Needs manager at Newport City Council, and Sharon Lee, director at Housing Justice Cymru.

Mrs Lee said: "What excites me about this project is that it's not just giving people a house, the vision is restoration and fixing the issues in people's lives.

"What they're doing is innovative and a different way to approach the subject.

The Bishop of Monmouth Richard Pain said that the project was in line with "the intelligent and pastoral approach that is needed" to prevent homelessness in Newport.

The Newport mayor David Atwell, along with his wife Carole Atwell, hailed the "amazing" work by the charity as he officially opened a prototype shelter in the church's carpark.

Attendees then got to step inside the container, which had arrived from Southampton docks this week, to get a first-hand look of the quality of the proposed shelter interiors.

Mr Johnson said that all of the redevelopment and furnishing work inside the containers will be completed by local contractors.

Currently only one shipping container has been converted, and the charity's long-term aim is to convert a further 10 of them, at a cost of around £200,000.