A charity is launching a fundraising appeal on World Homeless Day (10 October) to complete the transformation of a former Nottingham lace factory into high quality homes for some of the city’s most vulnerable rough sleepers.
Since April 2021, Framework has raised nearly £3 million through its Building Better Futures campaign to build 200 homes in the East Midlands. It has seen hundreds of lives transformed over the last four years, with people given their own front door and a safe place to call home.
197 new homes have been opened by Framework to date with the help of Building Better Futures providing safe, stable accommodation for people experiencing homelessness with the most complex needs.
Now the charity is launching its Homeless to Home campaign to raise more than £180,000 this winter to complete the development of 20 high-quality, self-contained homes in Basford.
Construction is about to begin on the new Lee House supported housing accommodation. It will become home to some of the most vulnerable men in Nottingham along with round the clock support to help them move towards a better future.
Framework’s brand-new supported housing developments give people in urgent need of safety and consistency a place to rebuild their lives, and a home of their own with their own front door. Unlike the challenges of a traditional hostel, these are self-contained homes with bespoke support for each person to help them address complex challenges.
Claire Eden, Framework head of fundraising and communications, said: “We have been developing modern, purpose-built homes for people experiencing homelessness locally for a number of years now and we have evidence that proves this approach is highly effective.
“That’s why we have an urgent need to raise over £180,000 this winter, to fill the gap in funding for our latest development in Nottingham – Lee House – which will provide secure, self-contained homes for 20 men facing homelessness right now.
“Supporting men in this way is hugely important. Shame and stigma often contribute to men suffering in silence. Many struggle alone. By the time they access our services, most men have been rough sleeping for months, sometimes years. They are entrenched in the lifestyle and carry an enormous backlog of trauma.
“With the proper housing and support, men can and do recover from homelessness. We want to provide a home where they can find stability, receive wrap-around support for their mental health needs and substance use issues, and find their confidence again.”
Jack, a Framework resident, said: “This is the way to end homelessness – it’s extremely important to have your own front door. Beyond that, I’ve mostly got to thank my Support Worker for where I am now.”
Sarah, a Framework resident, said: “Now I’ve got my own flat, my favourite thing is to put music on. It’s given me my identity back and reminded me who I am.”
The Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), a funding programme from central government, is the principal funder for the Lee House development.
