A LEADING North-East social housing provider has thrown its weight behind a national campaign calling for more investment to provide homes for people in need of support.
North Star Housing is backing the National Housing Federation’s ‘Starts at Home’ campaign, which is calling for the Government to implement and fund a long-term plan for supported housing.
The campaign starts today (September 1), and North Star is arranging a series of activities and visits to services by North-East MPs and council officials to celebrate the importance of supported housing services.
The focus for North Star this year is on wellbeing, encouraging customers to be outdoors, exercising, and taking advantage of activities, such as reflexology, to boost mental and physical health along with building confidence.
Adam Clark, North Star’s executive director of customers, said: “The case for proper investment, resourcing, and integration of supported housing couldn’t be clearer. It’s much more effective for people to benefit from timely, tailored support, than deal with costly consequences later on.”
The cost-of-living crisis has put significant pressure on many households across the country. It is estimated that a further 41,000 more people would become homeless every year without supported housing, such as North Star provides, with a further 30,000 living at risk of homelessness.
According to Government figures, there are more than 131,000 children living in temporary accommodation – an increase of 10 per cent since 2022 – and the North-East has the highest rate of child poverty.
Homelessness is just one element of supported housing, and housing associations provide crucial care and support. North Star provides 620 supported homes, meeting the needs of a wide range of people, including women’s refuges, accommodation for people with learning disabilities, young people, and homelessness services.
North-East MPs Jill Mortimer, Matt Vickers, Alex Cunningham, and Peter Gibson, will be among the political figures visiting properties and services across North Star’s network throughout September.
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They will see first-hand how North Star is supporting people to live independent lives through housing and support services, and how the organisation prevents people from becoming homeless.
The aim of the campaign is to win support in Parliament to address what the housing provider sees as the growing need for an inclusive and structured national plan for supported housing.
“Research has repeatedly shown that supported housing saves the taxpayer money, and provides better outcomes for people, allowing them to maintain their independence, and to thrive, so it’s a win-win. North Star is right behind the National Housing Federation’s calls for vital investment,” added Mr Clark.
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