Could this be the answer to Britain's housing crisis? Restaurant boss converts a SHIPPING CONTAINER into a one-bedroom house for homeless people

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A restaurant owner has converted a shipping container into a luxury one-bedroom house for homeless people. 

The unique home comes complete with its own electricity, bed, toilet, en-suite shower room, kitchen and living area.

Jasper Thompson, 58, wanted to 'do something more' for those who are less fortunate and created the new home in Bristol - which has been named 'Carl's Haven'. 

Although shipping containers have been used for trendy restaurants, hotels and extravagant and expensive homes, it is believed only a handful have transformed into living spaces for the homeless.

The empty shipping container (pictured) was transformed into a luxurious and modern living space for homeless people in Bristol

The container was originally blue before it was changed and transformed into a stunning one-bedroom home which has its own en-suite shower room

Locals and professional tradesmen and women helped build the unique home after the scheme in Bristol was launched earlier this year

Restaurant owner Jasper Thompson (left) showed Councillor Paul Smith (right) around the home after the work was completed 

After the successful completion of the container in Bristol, Mr Thompson now wants to expand the project by converting other containers into houses for homeless people around the city.

Mr Thompson, who runs the Jamaican Diner in Bristol, said the key to his project - called Help Bristol's Homeless - was persuading homeless people to work together. 

But before he could get started, he had to get the permission of the owner to use the the largely empty site on Malago Road, Bristol - around five minutes from his restaurant.

He then installed a donated caravan to house five homeless people and then worked with them - along with volunteers - to convert the shipping container into the modern living space, reports the Bristol Post.  

Mr Thompson told the newspaper: 'I've done fundraising, donated stuff and volunteered so this is not a fad. But I realised the way forward was shipping containers.

'I know a lot of people in Bristol and called in a lot of favours and tapped a lot of people up and the response in the last few months has been amazing.'

The small home is fitted with modern appliances and includes a bar-style table and seat - big enough for a kettle and microwave

The unique space was kitted out with a long mirror, a chair, lamp and artwork which was kindly donated to the public 

The home also has a toilet and an en-suite shower room and the man behind it is hoping to create more homes using old shipping containers 

This was the first converted shipping container to be transformed as part of the Help Bristol's Homeless campaign 

Mr Thompson launched the project and started converting the container so people could easily live in it. 

Skilled and professional tradesmen helped with the construction and fixtures, fittings and furniture - including artwork - were donated by the public.   

Mr Thompson added: 'They've been supervised by skilled tradesmen, we've had two lads working on this for the past 12 days.

'We've even got Mitsubishi on board now, and they are talking about installing solar panels on it to provide electricity. Bristol University want to get involved too.

The shipping container was painted yellow and has been fitted with a new door and decking which leads up to the entrance 

Mr Thompson launched the project and started converting the container so people could easily live in it - and was helped by a number of others, including homeless people 

Skilled and professional tradesmen helped with the construction and fixtures, fittings and furniture - including artwork - were donated by the public

'It's been a whole community effort, and the most important thing is that the homeless people who are here are the ones leading the project. It's about everyone working together, learning trades and people pulling each other up.

'We're registering as a social enterprise, we'd love to see this work and roll more places out there. We've shown what can be done with a bit of energy and support. 

'I want to get a really long shipping container and convert it into a kitchens and workshop, and that can be the base to do many more. 

'The extent to this could be endless. It's easy, it's relatively cheap and it can make a difference.'