Housing First seminar
Broadland was pleased to host the first-ever Housing First Norfolk seminar, which took place on 4 September.
The event saw attendees from the Norfolk police constabulary, health and social care, local authorities and housing associations come together to learn and understand more the Housing First model.
The Housing First model looks at providing good quality housing to vulnerable tenants in most need, and then building the support around their individual needs.
Thank you to Kate Farrell, Crisis, who gave an insightful presentation about the Housing First model that has been running in Liverpool and what we as a region can learn from it. Also, thank you to Catherine Ashford, Crisis, who gave us some food for thought over the language we use around homelessness.
Reducing homelessness for prison leavers
Broadland Housing is supporting a new project to provide ex-offenders with a stable home, reducing the likelihood that they will return to crime.
The Housing for People Leaving Prison project was set up by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN) and homelessness charity St Martin’s. The project helps people released from prison to find accommodation, bring stability to their lives and reintegrate into communities.
Having safe, consistent accommodation can reduce the likelihood someone will reoffend by 20%. Prison leavers are at particular risk of homelessness, making up 34% of demand for accommodation across the city of Norwich.
Broadland, along with Norwich City Council and the Norfolk and Suffolk Community Rehabilitation Company, will provide stable accommodation for prison leavers and support to tackle the issues which make them vulnerable to reoffending. St Martin’s will work directly with prison leavers to help them access mental, physical and emotional care, and support their reintegration back into society by encouraging positive activities and links with communities. The project will run until September 2022.
Michael Newey, Chief Executive of Broadland Housing Group, said:
“I am really pleased that Broadland can play our part in this project. Broadland was established in 1963 to respond to homelessness, so this partnership work really does show our founding purpose in a very practical way.”
Campaign for social housing
Broadland has signed up to Homes at the Heart, a national campaign calling for a once-in-a-generation investment in social housing.
Homes at the Heart wants the Government to put social housing at the heart of its plan for social and economic recovery from the Coronavirus crisis.
The pandemic has highlighted the need for secure, high-quality, affordable homes and, for many people, support to live in them. Some of those worst affected by the crisis include low-paid key workers living in homes they cannot afford, rough sleepers, homeless families in temporary accommodation, older people in unsupported homes, and families stuck in overcrowded conditions.
Homes at the Heart believes that investing in social housing will help the country recover from this crisis. It will boost the economy, create jobs and improve people’s lives. Without action, many people’s housing situations are likely to get much worse as the economic impact of the crisis is felt across the UK.
Supporting carers via Harry’s Pledge
We are proud to get behind Harry’s Pledge, a national commitment to support, recognise and champion carers.
Across the country social housing providers like Broadland are looking to commit to four pledges:
- Being supportive employers to people who have caring responsibilities
- Making offices and community spaces as accessible as possible
- Building more fully-accessible homes
- Further professionalising and promoting care as a career, and lobbying for changes in pay and rewards for carers.
Launched in June 2020 during Carers Week, Harry’s Pledge is named in honour of Harry Charlesworth, a lively five-year-old whose birth disability of quadriplegic cerebral palsy means he has deep caring needs.
Harry’s grandmother is Julie Doyle, the chief executive of Longhurst, which like Broadland is a member of PlaceShapers. She and Harry’s family were determined that the focus on the difference made by carers during the Coronavirus pandemic should not be lost.
Michael Newey, Group Chief Executive, said:
“We are proud and pleased to sign up to Harry’s Pledge. Carers are the unsung heroes of our society, and the Coronavirus pandemic has thrown a light on their amazing contribution to people’s lives. Harry’s Pledge will show solidarity with this and generate more support for carers and the people they care for.”
Harry’s Pledge is a unified approach from Carers UK, PlaceShapers, the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation.
Find out more about Harry’s Pledge at www.harrys-pledge.org.uk
