A HOMELESSNESS support programme in Coventry is one of several across the West Midlands to benefit from a £1million government cash boost.
The money from the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) programme is supporting around 700 people either already sleeping rough, at risk of losing their home, or living in temporary and insecure housing.
The programme is backing West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s Homes for Everyone priority by funding 16 projects which help to move people into stable accommodation, manage their bills, find work or training, and access health and wellbeing services.
The Mayor visited Coventry to meet a group of people who have recently been homeless and are now turning their lives around thanks to the Move On project, funded through the RSPARG programme and run by housing association Citizen from The Gateway supported housing scheme.
Steve, 59, from Coventry, told the Mayor how he arrived at The Gateway after being evicted from a shared house. With support from Citizen, he has overcome personal challenges and is now living independently in his own flat.
He is also chairman of Gateway Link, a group of current and former Gateway residents who run social activities and use their skills to support each other, from decorating and DIY to helping with removals when they move into their own homes.
Steve said: “Before I came to The Gateway, I was in shared accommodation, surrounded by people drinking and taking drugs, and I’d become a product of my environment. But now I’ve got a far superior support network than I’ve ever, ever had in my life thanks to The Gateway.
“Helping others through the Gateway Link has given me a sense of purpose, direction and satisfaction in my own life. When I was asked to be the chairman, I thought, someone believes in me. Without that shred of belief I would be on the streets, drinking and taking drugs.”
Mr Parker said: “Hearing Steve’s story left me in no doubt about the devastating impact that being homeless can have on someone’s life and how a safe, secure home underpins everything. Without it, health, confidence and opportunity can quickly unravel.
“That’s why I’m using this funding to give more people like him and the others I met at The Gateway the hope they need to get themselves back on their feet. It’s already changed their lives for the better and will do the same for many more.
“But designing out homelessness also means having enough safe, affordable homes and alongside this funding we’re also making really good progress in building more social housing than ever, with 2,000 new homes already in the pipeline and more to come.”
Citizen is using its funding to employ a dedicated Move On Officer, Michelle Brown, to work with residents at The Gateway, helping them move out of supported accommodation and settle into their own home and an independent life.
Since it began in August, the project has already helped 12 residents move into their own homes, with four also now in work.
Ms Brown said: “It was great to be visited by Mayor Richard Parker so he could see the impact the Move On Project has on our customers.
“My work is crucial as I’m able to support Gateway customers as they move into their own home and afterwards by helping them with applications for work or registering with doctors to give a couple of examples.
“Being a Move On Officer helps to provide that extra support when someone is starting their own tenancy as this can be an overwhelming process.
“Everyone we have supported as part of this project has successfully moved into their own home and is managing their own tenancy so we’re really seeing the impact of the project.
“We want to work with our partners, such as the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to make a positive difference to our customers and communities and this is a great example of that.”
There are currently 7,000 households living in temporary accommodation and the number of people sleeping rough across the WMCA area remains at around pre-pandemic levels.
Since its launch eight years ago, the region’s year-round alternative giving campaign Change into Action has raised over £350,000 and helped more than 2,000 people move away from rough sleeping towards a more secure future. Visit www.changeintoaction.org.uk to donate.
