In late 2023 homelessness charity Crisis launched its Homelessness Covenant initiative, backed by government. It comprises a set of pledges employers can take to support people experiencing homelessness in the workplace.

Its aim is to increase job opportunities for those at risk of homelessness, encouraging potential employers to provide supportive policies to help individuals stay in work. The pledges focus upon topics such as employment and training opportunities, fairer recruitment and support for local communities in dealing with homelessness through volunteering and fundraising.?

Find out more about the Homelessness Covenant, best practice guide, and sign-up here?

The Centre for Homelessness Impact, supported by DLUHC, is delivering the Test and Learn programme aimed at identifying and scaling evidence-led, cost-effective solutions to tackle homelessness. The programme comprises 8 projects, with applications currently open for evaluators and service delivery partners via the Flexigrant portal.

To read more about the programme, projects and/or to start an application click here.

To receive updates on the trial opportunities and the programme, please register here.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has issued a reminder to all social housing landlords about recent changes in regulation, including the introduction of new standards effective since April. Landlords are urged to identify any shortcomings in meeting these standards and take corrective action for the benefit of tenants.

The four consumer standards implemented from April 1st cover safety, transparency, community engagement, and tenancy management.

Key changes to RSH?s regulations are available here.

Read about landlords' rights and responsibilities here.

More on how RSH regulates landlords.

Nottingham City Council has approved the purchase of 60 homes across the city to alleviate the pressure on housing waiting list. These properties, many of which are former council houses bought under the Right to Buy scheme, will be acquired using funds from the Housing Revenue Account and proceeds from previous council house sales received from the Government.

The council is actively seeking properties that match the needs of individuals on the waiting list, focusing on two and three-bedroom houses, bungalows, and flats.

Find out more here .

A year ago, more than 15 charities launched Nottingham Street Aid, an alternative giving platform to help target funding that will directly impact the lives of rough sleepers.

The initiative awards grants of up to ?750 to registered charitable organisations supporting homelessness. Applications can be made here. Organisations not registered but interested in applying for grants to help their beneficiaries should first register here.

Most Street Aid donations are made via eight contactless donation points around the city. Businesses interested in hosting donation point should email [email protected]. Individuals can donate money via this link.

This initiative is supported by It?s in Nottingham, Nottingham City Council and The Nottingham Building Society.

Nottingham Private Rented Assistance Scheme (NPRAS) supports homeless families by finding them affordable homes in the private rented sector. A recent boost in resource resulted in the service creating 42% more new tenancies for households affected by homelessness than it did before Christmas.

Assistance from NPRAS is offered for households deemed to be at risk of losing a home, providing stability for families, as well as those already homeless and living in temporary accommodation.

NPRAS works with landlords, offering a range of free services such as tenant finding and/or property management.

Find out more on the NPRAS website.

Salvation Army Housing Association has rebranded itself with a new name and mission. The organisation is now called Salvation Army Homes in alignment with its mission of ?Safe Homes, Transforming Lives?.

It aims to provide tailored support to people who need shelter, including financial assistance, debt relief, empowerment and help in connecting with estranged families. The revamped website aims to make it easier for people to access information and support services. The organisation emphasises the importance of collaboration in helping people to live independently.

Read more here.

Framework?s new Furnishing Future project aims to transform the lives of people who are homeless by helping organisations and businesses to repurpose furniture, appliances, and fixtures.

Businesses can contribute items such as ex-display, returned, or end-of-line furnishings, electrical appliances, kitchenware, and bedding, which are then used to furnish accommodation units.

The initiative not only provides a free solution for businesses to dispose of excess stock, but also enables them to have social and environmental impact

For further information, including donation requirements and arrangements for collection and delivery, visit the Framework Furnishing Futures website or email to [email protected] .

Nottingham City Homeless Health Network is a collaborative forum that meets online every two months to ensure systems are responsive to the needs of those suffering health inequalities, with a focus on people experiencing homelessness and/or Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD). It is delivered collaboratively by the?Practice Development Unit?(PDU), Changing Futures, Nottingham City General Practice Alliance (NCGPA), and SMD GP Centre of Excellence. Anyone from the voluntary sector working with homeless, especially those who interact with NHS, as well as colleagues working in primary care are welcome to join.

To be added to their mailing list, email [email protected].

The British Red Cross Refugee Services' project aims to assist individuals within the asylum and immigration system in finding housing upon receiving legal status in the UK. The project intends to achieve this by:

• Preparing asylum seekers for when they obtain Leave to Remain
• Providing information on the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• Exploring available housing options
• Educating individuals on household bills and budgeting
• Guiding individuals through the application process for Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and Personal Independence Payment

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, 2-3PM at St Andrew's Church, Chaucer Street, NG1 5JT

For more information contact [email protected]

A new block of purpose-built flats for former rough sleepers in Hyson Green has been named Akins House after George and Sean Akins who founded the popular music festival Beat The Streets.

The annual one-day festival has been raising vital funds for local homelessness services since 2018, helping to change hundreds of lives for the better. In January 2023 the festival raised ?89,500 helping to enable the project to build the new block of 8 flats.

Building has recently completed with the flats providing permanent homes and personalised support to residents. A local Tesco store showed their supported by providing welcome packs to make residents feel at home.

Read more here.

Nottingham City Council has provided 100 new homes over three new developments in Bestwood and Top Valley as part of its Building a Better Nottingham programme. Residents with a proven housing need from the council?s waiting and transfer lists have moved into the new affordable rent homes developed by Lovell Partnerships and Countryside Partnerships.

When construction completes across all 3 sites next year, almost 350 new homes will have been built and let to families and individuals on the council?s waiting list. Construction is ongoing at a fourth site in Padstow, Bestwood.

Read more about council homes in Bestwood

Four self-contained homes, part of the Villa Road project, have undergone renovation to be used as homes for homelessness in Nottingham. These houses were co-funded by Places for People Living Plus, Department for Levelling Up and Homes England.

Homes will be fully furnished and occupied by single adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with a dedicated support worker on hand. Tenants will be able to stay for up to two years, before being supported to move to a longer-term accommodation.

Opening of the Villa Road services is planned for May 2024.

Two new apartment blocks are being built in a former furniture warehouse in Lenton. In total 34 apartments will be provided, comprising 30 one-bedroom and 4 two-bedroom apartments. .?

Local housing provider, Jigsaw Homes Midlands, will be responsible for managing properties. Homes will be available for affordable rent and Rent to Buy, with allocations made through Nottingham City Council.

The ?4.8m development, which is partly funded by Homes England, will take around 14 months to complete.

Read more here.

According to the latest UK Housing Price Index the average price of a home in Nottingham in April was ?190,382. This is an annual growth rate of -3.8%. Negative annual price growth in the city has been recorded each month since September 2023, following 10 years of positive growth.

Negative growth appears to be a nationwide issue, although to a lesser extent (-1.1% in England, -0.4% in the East Midlands and -2.6% in Nottinghamshire). Smaller properties ? flats and maisonettes ? have seen their values shrink by greater percentages than larger ones.

Growth in Nottingham, which has been generally strong in recent years compared to other UK cities, has now fallen behind. Latest Hometrack house price growth data places Nottingham 12th in its comparison of 20 key UK cities.

Annual rental inflation in Nottingham has
slowed to 7.4%, down from 10.9% a year ago. This is the lowest rate for 2 years according to Hometrack?s latest quarterly Rental Market Report. Whole the lower rate of increase may be welcomed by renters it should be noted that weekly pay in Nottingham grew by a much smaller 3.7%, according to the most recent data published by the ONS.?

The average rental price in Nottingham was ?947pcm in March, with renters paying 28% more than they were 3 years ago.

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