Residents
Clients
Our residents come from all walks of life. Some face a greater risk of losing their homes. They may also encounter more barriers when trying to rebuild their lives.
Many residents have experienced violence, abuse, trauma or disadvantage. These experiences can remove the safety and stability that secure accommodation provides.
We support residents from a wide range of backgrounds. They include domestic abuse survivors, ex-offenders and people who have slept rough. We also support veterans, people with leave to remain and those affected by hidden homelessness.
Although residents face different challenges, they share the same basic need. Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home.
Our mission is to meet residents where they are. We provide safe housing and tailored support based on each person’s needs. This gives them the best possible chance of breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Domestic Violence Victims
There is a clear and well evidenced link between domestic abuse and homelessness. In 2022, local authorities in England accepted 13,857 people as homeless following the breakdown of a violent relationship. These cases accounted for 28% of all homelessness applications (Crisis, 2022).
Nations Apart research found that 73% of homeless females had experienced violence and/or abuse from a partner. Official statistics state in England and Wales alone 2.4 million women experienced domestic abuse in 2021/2022. On average two women a week die as a result of violence from a current or ex-partner.
Ex-Offenders
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) recognises accommodation as one of nine pathways that can help reduce reoffending. People leaving prison rank secure accommodation second only to employment when considering successful resettlement.
However, people who have offended often face significant barriers to finding a home. They may be declared intentionally homeless or deemed ineligible for housing. Some may also lose housing benefit and face eviction because of rent arrears.
Without a home, finding employment or training becomes much harder. It can also prevent people from registering with a GP, accessing healthcare and arranging benefits. A lack of suitable housing can also contribute to offending. In desperation, someone experiencing homelessness may commit a crime simply to secure shelter. That shelter may be a police station or prison cell.
People in prison often identify safe, affordable accommodation as essential for successful resettlement. We recognise that without a stable home, many people have little chance to rebuild their lives. As a result, the cycle of homelessness and reoffending can continue. We created Ready4Home to help break that cycle.
Ready4Home was specifically created to support people leaving prison. We aim to prevent reoffending by providing practical help from the moment someone is released. On release day, a Ready4Home staff member meets the resident at the prison gates. They take them to essential appointments before bringing them to their new home. A support worker will then welcome them and help them settle in.
Street Homeless
Rough sleeping is one of the most dangerous forms of homelessness. Some of the most vulnerable survivors sleep rough after escaping abuse.
Men and women sleeping rough may also experience domestic abuse within relationships formed on the streets. Ready4Home provides tailored support, but specialist gender-specific services remain limited.
Rough sleeping is dangerous for everyone. However, women face the additional risk of gender-based violence and abuse before, during and after homelessness.
Research by Crisis in 2020 highlighted the scale of this danger. It found that 58% of women sleeping rough had experienced intimidation or threats of violence during the previous 12 months. In comparison, the figure for men was 42%.
Hidden Homeless/Sofa Surfing
People may hide from services when trying to escape harm. This can make it difficult for homelessness services to find and support them.
Official statistics may also fail to include these individuals. As a result, they can significantly underestimate the true scale of homelessness.
Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are homeless (House of Commons, 2020). Many live in temporary accommodation or stay with friends and family.
People experiencing hidden homelessness often face the same challenges as those described above. However, their support may end once a temporary solution is found. Their wider needs can then remain unresolved or be forgotten.
Veterans
Veterans leaving the Armed Forces may need additional support. Moving from military life back into the community can be challenging.
Without suitable support, some veterans may experience homelessness or become involved with the criminal justice system. Figures suggest that 60% of those leaving custody without intervention reoffend within the first 12 months.
Leave to remain residents
People with leave to remain often face barriers to stable housing. Although they can legally stay in the UK, many struggle to access welfare support. They may also find it difficult to secure affordable accommodation or stable employment.
These challenges increase the risk of exploitation, overcrowding, sofa surfing and homelessness. Language barriers and stigma can make the situation even more difficult. Many people also lack clear information about their rights and available support. As a result, they may not receive the help they need.
Without a safe home, finding work or continuing education can be difficult. It can also prevent people from building stable connections within their community.
We believe secure accommodation provides a foundation for integration, opportunity and independence. With the right support, people with leave to remain can move forward with dignity.