Ending homelessness together – let’s achieve great things

First, we need to set the framework with policy – put a homelessness strategy in place and work holistically across the board.

Like many providers, Riverside is signed up to the Homes for Cathy commitments, as well as being driven by statutory responsibilities.

Our Ending Homelessness Together (EHT) group sees a diverse collection of social housing and care and support colleagues come together to ensure homelessness is positively and holistically addressed within Riverside. The group delivers our EHT strategy and drives a whole-organisation approach to tackling homelessness by improving access to our homes, sustaining tenancies and minimising evictions.

Housing providers must continue to invest in tenancy sustainment and work closely with those customers at risk of homelessness. This is something that in the current financial climate is almost certainly going to become more of an issue.

“Providers should be working closely with supported services in their areas to make a difference”

Second, we must work collaboratively – internally across different business areas and externally with homelessness organisations and charitable bodies.

Riverside’s income maximisation team supports customers seeking employment and training by funding educational and vocational courses. It also provides advice and assistance regarding welfare benefits and improves the affordability and efficiency of customers’ utilities.

Working with our charity partner, Church Homeless Trust, we provide customer grants when they move on to independent living. Riverside also delivers a Helping Hands Fund for immediate financial help to those in crisis.

Our move-on project for homeless people and rough sleepers has seen positive outcomes for both customers and colleagues. Providers should be working closely with supported services in their areas to make a difference. In many cases, tenants moving in this way offers a greater understanding between local teams and shared knowledge of customers’ needs to ensure improved tenancy sustainment. 

Last, we must be practical and go above and beyond what is required of us as housing providers.

A recent example is we decommissioned a show home in the North East, normally putting items in storage or relocating. However, the Riverside Home Ownership sales team worked with colleagues to distribute furniture to customers in need. We were thrilled to be able to assist a family fleeing domestic abuse.

Having a decent roof over your head is a necessity, so a home is the first response. Offering individualised support for those facing challenges is the next step.

Like many other providers across the sector, Riverside works with numerous local authorities on Housing First projects, including in Swale, Medway, Guildford and Manchester. In the Liverpool City Region, I am proud to say we are the second biggest supporting landlord, with Torus just ahead of us.

Providers need to work with their customers to overcome obstacles and ensure they are ‘tenancy ready’. It is not just about getting people off the streets but about moving them to the right home at the right time, with practical support.

I’m sure there are countless best practice examples from fellow providers to combat homelessness, with many of you doing incredible things. However, we can always push ourselves to do more.

To revisit Mother Teresa’s quote I began with: for me, policy sets the framework, collaboration is critical, and practicality is key to make a difference. With that, we – meaning the whole sector – can achieve great things and make homelessness a thing of the past.

Carol Matthews, chief executive, Riverside