News from Bolton at Home
Here you'll find our most recent news articles, from important tenant updates and new housing developments, to new community initiatives and activities.
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Working together to tackle homelessness
David (name changed) had been a rough sleeper for years when he reached out for support to help turn his life around.
Dependant on drugs, the countless nights spent sofa surfing or sleeping on the streets had taken their toll on David’s health and wellbeing.
David was put in touch with a keyworker from Greater Manchester Housing First (GMHF).
GMHF is a three-year pilot project that aims to provide safe and secure homes to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
GMHF provided David with intensive support, referring him to us for housing and personal support in maintaining a tenancy, as well as to the Early Break Young People’s Drug and Alcohol service.
Working together we’re now providing David with the emotional and practical support he needs to keep a home, look after his health, strengthen family relationships, and improve his prospects.
The key to success for GMHF has been the wide range of partners involved that can help people in difficulty tackle multiple and complex barriers to getting off, and staying off, the streets.
A partnership between 12 organisations across Greater Manchester, the GMHF pilot was commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) with funding from Ministry of Homes, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Launched in April 2019, over 350 people are on the programme. So far, it has permanently rehoused over 260 individuals across Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs with a tenancy sustainment rate of 89%.
“We’re very proud to be one of the organisations supporting the Greater Manchester Housing First pilot,” says Gemma Parlby, our Group Director of Housing and Customer Services, pictured. “It’s another great example of how social housing acts as a force for good in society and how working together we can provide the homes our communities need.”
“The pilot is just one of many ways we’re supporting people at risk of homelessness to find the stability to maintain a tenancy and look to the future,” adds Gemma. “It shows it’s never too late for people to turn their life around. Working with our partners, we’ll continue to be there for the people that need us.”
If you’re currently homeless or need housing advice, please speak with Bolton Council’s Housing Options in the first instance on 01204 335900.
You can find more information about how we’re working to reduce homelessness, here: www.readtap4.online/tap4-issue-7/working-to-reduce-homelessness/.
You can read a blog by Jon Lord, our Chief Exec and Chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP), about how GMHP has provided vital support to the GMHF pilot, here: www.gmhousingfirst.org.uk/post/gmhp-proves-the-power-of-partnerships.