Forty-five rough sleepers will be given a fresh start and a stable home in the heart of London thanks to an agreement between Notting Hill Genesis and the Greater London Authority (GLA), funded through the Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP).
This initiative will see 30 one-bedroom homes made available to vulnerable homeless people in Camden and Westminster, with a further 15 in Tower Hamlets.
Each tenant, nominated by the local authority, will get a three-year assured tenancy so they have a secure place from which to build their future. Once Notting Hill Genesis has purchased the homes, they will be refurbished to a high standard including enhancements to improve their energy efficiency to make them warm and affordable to run.
Our supported housing team, which is highly experienced in working with vulnerable residents and rough sleepers, will work alongside an appointed support providers to ensure a tailored service to meet each tenant’s individual needs. This may include considerations about connections to the local area, any adaptations required to their home to ensure safety and creating a risk management plan.
At the end of the three-year tenancy, it is hoped the resident will be ready to be supported into social housing, whether via Notting Hill Genesis or the local authority.
Matthew Cornwall-Jones, Chief Homes Officer for Notting Hill Genesis, said: “This is such an exciting project for us and one that supports our commitment to providing homes that Londoners can afford, whatever their personal circumstances. This partnership will allow us to provide vital support to some of the most vulnerable people in the capital.
“We thank the Mayor, the GLA and the councils involved for their commitment to supporting rough sleepers in this way and giving us the opportunity to provide safe, warm comfortable homes from which they can rebuild and enjoy their lives. We look forward to welcoming the new tenants over the coming months.”
Tom Copley, the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said: “Ending rough sleeping in the capital is a key priority for the Mayor, so I’m delighted that these homes will offer shelter and stability to 45 Londoners sleeping rough on our streets.
“This partnership between City Hall and Notting Hill Genesis will go a long way in helping the most vulnerable people in our city get the support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity, helping to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.”
Councillor Pat Callaghan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Safer Communities for London Borough of Camden, added: “Through this funding Camden will be providing 30 properties which includes 10 delivered by Notting Hill Housing Group and 20 delivered by Camden Council as well as providing a specialist, wrap around support service for those who move in. This will not only provide people sleeping rough with a fresh start, but also a safe and secure place they can call home.
“In Camden, we are doing everything we can to address homelessness and ensure those who are sleeping rough can be supported to live away from the streets and towards independent living and this funding will go a long way in supporting some of our most vulnerable communities.”
Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services at London Borough of Westminster, said: “We’re happy to be able to support this scheme as it is providing safe accommodation to the most vulnerable people in the borough.
“Westminster and Notting Hill Genesis worked together to achieve funding from the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), and we are happy to be able to support this scheme as it is providing new Housing First properties that provide safe, high quality, self-contained accommodation to the most vulnerable people in the borough’
“Housing First is one of the important solutions to homelessness and gives people who have experienced homelessness, health, and trauma a stable home from which to rebuild their lives.”
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, added: “Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping is a priority for Tower Hamlets. Sadly, we are seeing more and more people present as homeless. The picture is the same across London and as a council, we are doing all we can amid a severe housing crisis. I am very pleased these one-bedroom homes will be provided for rough sleepers in Tower Hamlets.
“Our teams are on the ground, working with people who are sleeping rough and often have complex needs. These homes will provide a stable base from which they can rebuild their lives and look forward to a more positive future. We look forward to working with our partners on this important initiative.”
