A REVOLUTIONARY £7.6million pilot scheme aimed at addressing homelessness in Greater Manchester has been fully rolled out across the region.
The Greater Manchester Housing First scheme supports people with a history of homelessness into their own homes with a complete programme of support to help them maintain a sustainable tenancy.
The initiative, lead by Great Places Housing Group, includes a consortium of Riverside, Regenda Homes, Jigsaw Homes Group, Bond Board, Stockport Homes Group and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust and will help to deliver accommodation to more than 400 people previously sleeping rough, or at risk of homelessness, across all 10 local authority areas of Greater Manchester.
The programme was first sent live in Manchester, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside, but is now active in Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Salford, Trafford and Wigan.
The three-year programme was officially launched by Great Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, is overseen by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is endorsed by the Greater Manchester Housing Providers.
Mr Burnham said: “I am excited by Great Places and partners and what they are now doing with GMHF. We have asked for the freedom to do things differently and this is about completely turning things around. Treating people as equals and putting in the support that people need. We start from here.
“This is real change in action. If Greater Manchester stands for anything it is catching people when they fall, picking them up and supporting them to help get them back to where they want to be. This is happening in Greater Manchester and we are seeing this is making a real change.”
Emily Cole GMHF Programme Lead said: “The roll out of the pilot across Greater Manchester marks a significant landmark for the project.
“This approach is totally unique from the methods tried in the past and puts the emphasis on the needs of the person rather than following a particular process.
“We are delivering a Housing First pilot on a scale never seen in this country before and we aim to change the lives of the people and families we work with to help eradicate homelessness in Greater Manchester and help people achieve their aspiration. It is a really exciting time for all partners”
Andy Carberry, Director of Care and Support at Regenda Homes, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of the Greater Manchester Housing First consortium, which brings together significant experience and expertise to help tackle homelessness and support people off the streets.”