Scotland Housing Awards winner 2023

Housing-led approaches to ending homelessness

This submission focuses on our innovative and effective approach to ending homelessness. In the last five years, approx 30,000 households in Scotland were assessed as being homeless every year. Researchers estimated unemployment rates among people experiencing homelessness is circa 75 per cent. We wanted to do something to address the needs of the homeless people in Fife, so we created the Naumann Initiative, to simultaneously give a homeless person a job, a tenancy, and additional support.

As a landlord, employer and employability project, we have the components to achieve this. We created six roles with Kingdom, with all candidates secure in their new tenancies. Mark was one of them. He became homeless after a family breakdown which was severely impacting his mental health before being recruited through our Naumann project. Mark said “At the lowest point in my life I was introduced to the Naumann Initiative. I have gained valuable insight into how important housing is and been afforded the position to give something back. I have a lovely home within a great community, supportive colleagues and a safe place for my daughters to stay. I now feel part of a family again.”

We were limited by how many roles we could fill through Naumann so commenced phase two - Working Out of Homelessness. A bigger project to deliver more and make a greater impact to local people's lives. Phase two involved:

• Liaising with employers creating job opportunities and committing to employing a homeless person
• Identifying homeless people and ‘matching’ them to vacancies
• Homeless eligible participants are provided with tenancies through Kingdom, and support through our tenancy sustainment services.

Additionally, we:

• Supported those unsuccessful in their application for any position via the Naumann Initiative with direct support from a dedicated employability officer
• Provided a wider employability service to those unemployed and registered homeless.

Phase two significantly increased the number of homeless people we are able to provide a home to, whilst supporting more into employment.

Our dedicated employability officer said: “People find themselves homeless for a whole host of reasons, often through no fault of their own. Homelessness and unemployment often go hand in hand and being able to work with partner employers to tackle both is incredible.”

We recognise all forms of homelessness, including hidden homelessness - ensuring we engage with individuals not registered homeless as well as those who are. Our program addresses specific barriers faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and unemployment - including debt, health, certification. We have inspiring success stories including a client supported into a job at Babcock, he was experiencing repeat homelessness and now holds a good position within the company, and a secure tenancy with Kingdom which he loves.

We address topics such as tenancy sustainment, things to consider when moving into a new property, and practical assistance with utility bills, grants, and household essentials.

One of the first external employers who became involved was Campion Homes. Their managing director said: “We are delighted to partner with Kingdom in their groundbreaking initiative to allow individuals to rebuild their lives and futures. Opportunities are vital for everyone in everyday life and we wish the Naumann Initiative every success.”

Not only does this initiative transform lives of individuals who gain employment and a home, it also helps remove some associated stigma of homelessness within our community.

In the summer of 2020, Leicester based PA Housing replicated the Kingdom model and became the first employer outside of Scotland to implement the initiative through recruitment campaigns for two positions. Much like Kingdom, PA Housing found the recruitment process so successful they recruited four people, all of whom continue to enjoy success at the organisation.

Discussions are happening with other Housing providers to see if this initiative can be replicated further. A presentation was delivered to 50 housing professionals across different areas of Scotland where interest has been generated, and a workshop was delivered at the SFHA Annual Housing Conference 2023.

In 2021:

• 104 homeless individuals have been supported through the initiative
• 51 of those have undertaken accredited training
• 40 of them have been supported into employment
• 32 out of the 40 in work secured permanent housing as a result of the initiative
• 12 external organisations have created vacancies through this initiative and have been awarded “Naumann Accredited” employer status
• We also now have strong relationships with the Housing First providers in Fife.

Since January 2022:

• 198 homeless individuals have been supported through the initiative
• 125 of those have undertaken accredited training and/or health and wellbeing activities
• 88 of them have been supported into employment.