Cross Keys Homes’ (CKH) innovative approach to reducing homelessness in Peterborough has been shortlisted for a prestigious national housing award.
CKH’s multi-level approach to tackling the problem of homelessness, including working in partnership with Peterborough City Council (PCC) and other agencies, is seeing great results, and helping families into the homes they need and deserve.
Through intelligent housing management, CKH and PCC working together have seen all homeless households in short stay accommodation as far afield as Derby moved back to the city, and a downsizing initiative has freed up family homes.
CKH has increased the supply of short stay accommodation in the city – most notably with its regeneration of the flats and surrounding public space at Redpoll Place in South Bretton. The housing association’s investment of £350,000, with a financial contribution from PCC, has given the area a new look and improved security, and also enabled the housing association to provide additional, supported, short stay accommodation for the homeless within the flats.
CKH also knows that prevention is better than cure and so is working hard to keep people in their homes and maintain their tenancies, as well as build as many homes as possible to ensure affordable homes are available to all who need them.
CKH Chief Executive, Claire Higgins, said: “We all hear the moving stories of rough sleepers, but we also know there are many more people who are the hidden homeless, the sofa surfers and those living with long suffering friends and families. And it is this human story that drives us on to seek solutions. We know that it takes innovative and joined up thinking to solve this problem and get people into permanent, safe homes. From increasing the supply of short stay accommodation and the housing people need to the support to prevent homelessness happening in the first place, we have taken a holistic approach that has looked at all areas of our business and partnerships, to maximise the impact we have.
“Recognition in prestigious awards such as this show that we are really getting it right in our approach to housing, regeneration and community investment. I am incredibly proud of my team here at CKH for their hard work and dedication to changing lives.”
The UK Housing Awards are run by the Chartered Institute of Housing and national trade sector magazine, Inside Housing, and recognise excellence across the housing sector in the UK. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in May.