GM Homes Partnership voted number one in the north for tackling homelessness

A flagship partnership set up by GMHP members has been voted number one in the North for tackling homelessness, at the 2019 Northern Housing Awards held in Manchester.

The Greater Manchester Homes Partnership had been shortlisted back in March in the Best Initiative for Tackling Homelessness category, and recently picked up first prize at the Emirates Old Trafford ceremony.

They had been nominated for the success of the Social Impact Bond (SIB). Set up in December 2017 the SIB is a government funded three-year programme set up to prevent and relieve homelessness in Greater Manchester.

It was launched by GMHP members One Manchester and Trafford Housing Trust, together with Bridges Fund management and delivered by Shelter, The Brick and Great Places Housing Group.

It is also supported by more than 20 specialist housing providers, which form the Greater Manchester Housing Providers.

It has proved a great success, surpassing all targets set and GM Homes has now been given a further £829,000 to continue the great work the SIB has done.

The partnership has been commissioned on a payment-by-results basis by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, via the Government’s Life Chances Fund. The providers only receive payments if they succeed in delivering better outcomes for rough sleepers.

The results however, have been outstanding. Working with 400 people, 305 have moved into accommodation, with 236 securing long-term housing. in addition:

• 44 people have sustained a home for 12 months

• 23 have entered employment or education or volunteered

• 54 and 57 people, respectively, have sustained treatment programmes for drugs and alcohol and mental health issues.

Sarah Cook, project manager for the SIB, said: “We are delighted that the programme has been recognised in this way. The success of the initiative is completely down to the people involved: the participants; delivery partners; our housing partners and the shared ambition to do something different in collaboration.”