Home » Ara launches Housing First service for Bristol’s most vulnerable people
Ara launches Housing First service for Bristol’s most vulnerable people
Housing First Launch Event on November 13 at St Werburgh’s Community Centre, BS2 9TJ
Ara Recovery 4 All, the Bristol recovery charity are to launch a new Housing First service for 30 of the city’s most disadvantaged people facing entrenched rough sleeping, alcohol or drug dependency, and enduring physical or mental health struggles.
The project will accommodate 30 men and women in dispersed flats across Bristol in their own tenancies with high levels of flexible support. This is a partnership project with Bristol City Council and with support from MHCLG (Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government), Homes England, and SASC (Social & Sustainable Capital). Ara will provide the support for all 30 clients.
Housing First is an innovative approach, started in New York in 1992, which guarantees a person’s tenancy with a high level of wrap around support. All of those who are accepted onto the scheme will have a long history of homelessness and will have struggled in supported accommodation pathways. The approach has been funded to scale in Liverpool, Manchester and the West Midlands, and in addition to reducing levels of rough sleeping delivers reduced anti-social behaviour, hospital admissions, and cost savings to homeless and others services in society.
Ara Housing First manager Andy Cook said: “Having spent many years homeless on the streets of London I’m aware of how important it is for people to have a place to call home. We will work with people for as long as they need us and will give them the chance to make a new start and recover from the trauma of being homeless. Our aim will be to support people to maintain their tenancy and access services appropriate to them in the time and way they choose.”
Robbie Thornhill, Ara’s Director of Recovery and Resettlement, said: “Housing First represents dynamic system change for the way Bristol responds to people who experience multiple disadvantage. The enduring offer we are making is to support people in the way they want for as long as they want. We at Ara are proud to be delivering this service to provide long term solutions for people who need the most help in our society.”
For media enquiries contact:
Robbie Thornhill
robbiethornhill@recovery4all.co.uk
Tel 07917 083140
or visit recovery4all.co.uk
Notes For Editors:
About Housing First
The national homelessness charity Homeless Link has set out guidance for the way Housing First is delivered, summarised in seven principles:
- People have a right to a home
- Flexible support is provided for as long as it is needed
- Housing and support are separated
- Individuals have choice and control
- The service is based on people’s strengths, goals and aspirations
- An active engagement approach is used
- A harm reduction approach is used
About Ara Recovery 4 All
Ara are a charity that has promoted hope and better lives for people since 1987. Since 2017 they have been the lead provider for the Bristol Homeless Pathway 4, co-commissioned by Bristol City Council and Public Health England. The charity also provides drug and alcohol support, prison resettlement, counselling, and support to tackle gambling harms across the South West and Wales.