The Greater Manchester Housing First pilot has supported 300 people into their own home, writes Programme Lead Martine Whitehead.
Writing those words seems almost surreal. From the start of the project on April 1, 2019, to where we are now – and going through everything we have been through – makes the achievement all the more incredible.
The 300 number is impressive, but only tells one part of the story.
It doesn’t explain to you about the thousands of hours our Housing First Workers have spent building trust with people who, in many cases had been let down so many times they had lost all faith in services.
It doesn’t tell you anything about the work of the central team to engage with partners across Greater Manchester to ensure the people on the pilot get a choice of homes and the services they need, when and how they need them.
There’s also our fantastic partnership with the government, the GMCA and GM Mayor Andy Burnham for all of their help and support over the past two and a half years.
And we couldn’t have done any of this without our amazing co-production panel, without whose guidance, leadership and hard work, we wouldn’t have been able to make the pilot the success it has become.
This landmark is a testament to the hard work of so many people across Greater Manchester and beyond.
As we await news on further funding, I would like to take this opportunity to thank every person and organisation that has helped to get us to this fantastic landmark.
We aim to get more people into their own safe and secure home before the end of the pilot on March 31, 2022 and prove once and for all that – together, we are making a difference.