Social and Environmental Impact Report 22/23

Social & Environmental Impact Report 2022 / 2023

Providing more than a roof for our people and more than a future for our planet.

Welcome to your Impact Report.

You read that right, your Impact Report.

Marc Goodkind Managing Director

Over the last year we have

We believe that any experience of

been proud to work with almost

homelessness should be rare, brief

100 Local Authorities and key

and non-recurring. We believe that

Government departments right

in order to deliver positive impact

across the UK. Together we have

we must work together. This Impact

helped and supported some of the

Report demonstrates the power of

most vulnerable individuals and

that collaboration.

families in our communities to escape homelessness and avoid

Every single day, across the UK,

rough sleeping.

we are grateful to work with passionate people from many

This Impact Report belongs to

sectors committed to creating

all those partners as well as to

the most dignified, efficient and

our colleagues and those we have

innovative solutions to supporting

helped and supported. Homelessness

those who are homelessness or

and the increasing need for suitable,

at risk of rough sleeping.

safe and affordable accommodation continues to be one of the most unfair and harmful challenges faced by an ever-growing number across the UK.

We currently provide a home to over 5,300 people on any given night, who may otherwise be at risk of homelessness.

We are committed to delivering real life changing impact for those who need it most.

As our business has grown so has our impact and we share that with

“We currently provide a home to over 5,300 people on any given night, who may otherwise be at risk of homelessness.

The situation is not new, and big

you, so we can celebrate all that

problems always need the vision

we have achieved together.

of big solutions and new ways of working. However, these solutions

I want to thank all those partners

can and should only be delivered in

who have trusted us to be part

partnership, to ensure and maximise

of the solution, to our colleagues

significantly more positive and

whose passion and care have

sustainable outcomes for all those

made a difference every day and

we support. We passionately believe

to those who we have supported,

in everyone’s right to a suitable, safe

who have taught us how to be the

and affordable place to call home.

best we can be.

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INTRODUCTION

We have always had social purpose at the core of what we do.

We have also taken on our first few

creating a materially positive impact

electric vehicles within the fleet.

on society and the environment

Environmental considerations will

through our business operations and

play an increasing part of what

considering ‘stakeholder interests’

we do, and we are actively looking

including our employees, suppliers,

into further carbon reduction and

society, and the environment.

offset opportunities.

While the Homelessness emergency

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%

More people supported

68

%

More people housed

80

New colleagues

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Finally, we have commenced our

continues to rage on, we will

application for B-Corp Certification.

continue to play our part.

The last 12 months have been an

While this Report rightly highlights

To become a B-Corp will evidence

important year for The Housing

the amazing work done by our

how we meet high social and

We have a vision of a better, more

Network. We have continued to

dedicated team over the past

environmental performance,

dignified and effective way to utilise

grow both in terms of public body

year, we continue to be a forward

accountability, and transparency

the housing stock available in the UK.

partners we work with and the range

looking business that continues to

standards. Part of the B-Corp process

We are certain we can help achieve

of services we offer. Our scale and

want to develop and improve. Our

requires us to amend our Articles of

significantly more positive and

reach have meant that we have

core mission to provide “More than a

Association to include the specific

sustainable outcomes for those

been able to undertake more than

Roof” to some of the most vulnerable

legal commitment for The Housing

who are homelessness or at risk

Network to be a force for good,

of rough sleeping.

ever before; we have supported

in our society remains unaltered.

an average of 33% more people and

We have recently initiated our

provided a home to nearly 68% more

“More than a Voice” programme

people in supported accommodation.

that will bring the voice of those with

Gary Teper Managing Director

“expertise by experience” into the This increased demand has resulted

business. By engaging and consulting

in major expansion of our company,

with our residents we aim to ensure

including being joined by a large

that they help us inform the delivery of

number of new, talented colleagues.

our service. By listening, learning, and

Over the year we have brought in

involving our residents, we believe

almost 80 dedicated professionals

we can deliver better services.

covering all areas of the business, including housing acquisition,

As a socially purposed business

management, and support in order to

we have always had purpose at the

innovate new solutions for those who

core of what we do, but we also

need it most. We have also moved

recognise we are on a planet with

to new, larger HQ premises in Luton

limited resources and that we all

which will allow us to better support

have a part to play in tackling the

our staff and residents across the

climate emergency. To this end we

country. In addition to being a more

are proud that we have initiated our

pleasant place in which to work, the

“More than our Future” initiative,

new office provides more meeting

which will involve us being more

rooms and collaboration space,

aware of our environmental impact

along with dedicated training area

and taking steps to reduce our

to allow for more effective group

impact. We have already published

training. This is a major upgrade in

our Carbon Reduction Plan and

terms of the working environment

have recently completed a project

and will provide a platform for

to change our fleet of vehicles to

further growth.

modern, more efficient vehicles.

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Part 1

Purpose At The Heart Of All We Do We have had an incredible year of growth and development.

But we believe there is a big difference between getting bigger and real growth.

PART 1

At The Housing Network we believe that growth is about delivering greater impact for those we serve. Those people working on the front line to deliver solutions in the field of homelessness and, more than anything, those who experience homelessness first-hand.

For that reason, in a year of unprecedented growth, we have focused ourselves not just on the day-to-day work but on ensuring a deep sense of purpose for our organisation and our teams.

In a world where organisations have a mission statement, our experience is that our vision, our mission and our values live in every interaction we have with each person we are privileged to meet and support every day.

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PART 1

Our Vision When life is at its toughest, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives.

We can’t solve homelessness on our own but when homelessness happens, we can provide quality accommodation and transitional support to enable people to rebuild their lives in a safe and stable environment.

Our Mission Because of our shared vision, our mission is to create:

Better Accommodation We find suitable accommodation for people at the point of crisis. Because we believe safe and dignified accommodation gives the foundation for a better future.

Better Support Giving people the right kind of support at the right time is essential to success. Because when life is at its hardest, we need support as well as security.

Better Partnerships We deliver for our partners- public bodies, landlords and residents in order to innovate the best solutions. Because we all need to work together to create the best outcomes.

Better Business Without our people we are nothing. We recognise the critical role our teams play in providing our service and so we support and invest in our colleagues and our business to create long-term and sustainable outcomes.

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PART 1

Our Values

Dependable We develop and foster long term relationships built on honesty and dependability; to deliver the best outcomes for our colleagues, partners and residents. We will be clear about what we will deliver and do what we promise.

Innovative We work hard to deliver innovative solutions that help people move on to a better life. We listen to our colleagues and value their opinions to constantly innovate better solutions.

Dynamic We are people and solution focussed. People are more important than processes and if we need to change something to get the best outcome we will. We are agile and quick to respond.

Respectful We believe that by treating everyone with respect we can support our colleagues and residents better. Only through valued and confident colleagues can we support those who need it the most.

Kind It sounds like a simple word, but it is the heart of all we do.

We believe that people thrive in a culture of kindness and so we are kind to residents, ourselves, and each other.

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PART 1

Our Accreditations We are proud that our Vision and Values mean that we are open and transparent.

Being accredited by national bodies means that we hold ourselves to account and that our values impact the way we operate every day.

We are a Living Wage Employer

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer Our accreditations include:

We are an EDAC Member We are a Menopause Friendly Employer We are members of the Property Redress Scheme 14

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Part 2

Growing Our Impact The heart of all we do has always been focussed on two things – quality housing and transformational support.

PART 2

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Local Authorities worked with

The heart of all we do has always

Seeing that impact has driven us

been focussed on two things:

to respond quickly when our partners

Quality housing Transformational support

needed us, working together to address the trauma caused and help those affected to move on and rebuild their lives.

Throughout this year we have

5.3k People supported on average per night

continued to focus on these two key

We have used our infrastructure of

principles using them, alongside our

suitable housing and transformational

statutory partners from across the

support in new ways and, in partnership

UK, to develop the most effective

with the Ministry of Justice, have

and person-centric support solutions

deployed our experience in new areas.

for all those we support.

We operate across the whole of the UK providing solutions for 96 Local Authorities. In the last year we have supported 5,337 people in:

We are proud to be a part of the We have seen the long-term personal

solution and to be trusted across

and economic impact of the cost-of-

the UK by both our partners and

living crisis and just how much it has

the those making the journey out

affected and traumatized some of

of homelessness.

the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community.

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1,370

self-contained family homes

1,560

people in supported accommodation

99

specialist support settings 19

Part 3

Partnerships Matter We know that when collaboration happens better outcomes are achieved and that is why partnerships are so critical to the success of The Housing Network.

PART 3

Case Study North Northamptonshire Council

24 7 support for vulnerable individuals

Our Seen & Heard project is our

It involves a more tailored support

solution to providing appropriate

structure and collaboration across

accommodation and support

multiple agencies including local

for those experiencing multiple

outreach services, police and

disadvantage. It grew out of our

neighbourhood officers, social

long-term partnership with North

services, local charities and mental

Northamptonshire Council.

health services as well as the local authority housing options team.

Our dedicated and experienced

The project brings together these

team provide person-centred

multidisciplinary skills to provide the

and trauma informed support for

right support at the right time for our

highly vulnerable individuals on

residents. But the project is about

a 24/7 basis. Working to provide

more than just support, it is about

support and supervision to

those things which make us happy

encourage social activities,

and fulfilled in the long term, those

develop positive relationships

things which help us to see that we

and on occasions manage any

have hope and a future.

risk of negative behaviours.

At Christmas our team and partners We established Seen & Heard

came together to support our residents

with the aim to deliver just this.

to enjoy the best Christmas ever- one

“ It was especially welcome that the entire process from go-ahead decision until the first clients were safely accommodated took just over two and a half weeks.

This was critically important, as we needed to get these vulnerable people off the streets and into a warm and safe environment before the really bad weather set in.”

Cllr Andy Mercer North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Housing and Community

they would remember for a long time to come.

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PART 3

“ The Housing Network seems to genuinely understand the cohort and has the ability to deal with issues.

Your background and professionalism gave us confidence that The Housing Network could supply HMO properties alongside selfcontained units. We were comfortable using you to supply HMOs due to your background and our trust and faith in The Housing Network as an organisation.”

Case Study Coventry City Council We always want to do things

They also recognised the potential risks

differently and this includes making

from bringing together people from

HMOs a viable and positive part of

different backgrounds and challenging

the housing solution.

situations, so wanted some support included and supervision.

We have worked in partnership with

Coventry City Council to overcome

We offer both the Council and those

the negative personal and financial

who needed housing, support when it

impacts that vulnerable residents

was at its most vital, more than a roof:

often experience when they are living

in inappropriate accommodation.

for the Council’s exclusive use Coventry wanted to improve the situation and consolidate their HMOs with a small number of

trusted providers, exit hotels,

Housing Manager Coventry City Council

Our homes are located within the borough, are good quality, safe and immediately available

hostels and B&Bs, and improve the

Our homes can be viewed and

overall quality of the accommodation

vetoed by the Councils in advance

they provided. They asked The

of being taken on

Housing Network to help. They were accommodating residents in hostels and B&Bs but wanted to move them into better quality and lower cost accommodation.

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Our homes are fully licensed

Our support and monitoring ensure people are safer, that no unwanted problems get out of hand, and that the individuals have a better chance in life

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PART 3

New Home New Future Some of the greatest challenges

CAS3 is a new tier of community

of those facing homelessness

accommodation, providing basic,

across the UK are experienced by

transitional housing for up to 84

those leaving prison. The Housing

nights for prison leavers who are

Network have been at the forefront

at risk of homelessness.

of working with the Ministry of Justice in transforming the futures

The aim of the service is to ensure

for those leaving prison.

that no one leaves prison under

50

%

People who leave prison without stable housing are almost 50% more likely to be driven to re-offend

the supervision of the probation People who leave prison without

service without the offer of a place

All our accommodation is of a good

of Justice, in the East of England

stable accommodation are almost

to live and a pathway to settled

standard, exceeding the minimum

to help the Government with their

50% more likely to be driven to or

accommodation.

requirements specified by the

shared objective of reducing

Ministry of Justice and always feels

reoffending by ensuring that prison

have to reoffend. Supporting those who may be trapped in this situation

The Housing Network was selected

like a real place to call home. The

leavers aren’t released from custody

into stable housing provides the

through a competitive tender

additional support services that we

homeless and have been working

platform they need to find work

process to partner on the CAS3

provide makes the difference and

with them since 2022. The East of

and access treatment for addictions

contract from the Ministry of Justice

helps people turn their lives around.

England was one of five vanguard

and mental health problems which

in 2021 because of our commitment

We were awarded the Community

regions for CAS3 which is now

are also proven to reduce the risk

to providing more than a roof.

Accommodation Service tier 3

planned for national rollout.

of reoffending.

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(CAS3) contract by the Ministry

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PART 3

Our unique model of housing and

We are proud that as a leading provider of this service we have gone on to win a total of 4 additional areas to support the Ministry of Justice in creating even more impact in this field.

“ He is so grateful and thank you so much for securing that place!”

Ester Certified Probation Professional

support means we offer more than a roof: Welcome packs including cereals, tea, coffee, milk, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo etc., Towels and bedding Comfortable furnished accommodation, including TVs

“ The flat is absolutely beautiful and neither of us could believe it.”

Sam Resident

Support and signposting to find opportunities such as CV writing support, registering with a GP, Job Centre reminders, registering for Universal Credit etc.

Intermediary with the Ministry of Justice and other commissioned service providers to find longterm housing Help liaising with family members

“ What an amazing scheme!

We are truly helping some of the most unsupported and vulnerable people in society.”

Cara Support Worker

if needed We log and record every contact with individuals and flag any mental health, substance misuse and any other safeguarding concerns

We visit those we support on a weekly basis with further telephone contact, in addition to individuals being regularly contacted by a dedicated Ministry of Justice Support Worker with floating support

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PART 3

Joe’s Story “ There’s no way I could have got this job without having somewhere safe to live.

Without CAS3, I’d still be unemployed and probably still living in a place that could have pulled me back into trouble.

I massively don’t know what I would have done without it.”

Quality Housing Ahmad’s Story With professional and down to earth support from The Housing Network, Ahmad has moved into his own accommodation with us and is, for the first time, looking forward to finding work and building his future.

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I was homeless when I left prison.

It might not sound like a lot, but

It’s hard to understand what that

when you’ve been in a cell and

really means when you’re not in that

then on the street, it was the best

position, but I really had nowhere

feeling walking into that flat!

to go. While the council tried to find somewhere for me, I spent a couple

Having that space to keep myself

of nights on the street. I spent a bit

out of trouble meant I had the time

of time in hotels until something else

to find myself a job and somewhere

Ahmad came from Afghanistan to

came up. The ‘something else’ was

to go when I moved out. It felt like

the UK when he was fifteen. Fifteen.

a bed in a shared house, with five

breathing space to start to rebuild

A child, not playing with his games

others. It wasn’t the nicest place,

my life. I now work for the housing

console but fleeing persecution

and I was kept up by them constantly

network and do maintenance on

from the war in the country he had

arguing about drugs and money. I

other CAS3 properties it’s really

always known as home. Dislocated

knew I needed to get out to stay out

a full circle.

from all he knew he has lived since

of trouble, and my Probation Officer

then on the sofas of friends. Like

told me about CAS3. She said it was

I get to talk to new people living in

many others with Ahmad’s story,

a new thing; only available in certain

the properties and tell them ‘Look,

he had long history of mental health

areas at that time but they had found

I lived in one of these’ and explain

issues, which are a result of the

me a bed. I thought she literally

that people are here to help them.

trauma experienced in Afghanistan

meant a bed – I didn’t realise I’d

There’s no way I could have got this

and during the journey to the UK.

be getting a place entirely my own.

job without having somewhere safe

With professional and down to

It was small, but it was a safe place

unemployed and probably still living

earth support from The Housing

for me to put my head down and

in a place that could have pulled

Network he has moved into his own

cook for myself, something I hadn’t

me back into trouble. I massively

accommodation with us and is, for

done in years. I had my own TV for

don’t know what I would have

the first time, looking forward to

the first time and furniture that I

done without it.

finding work and building his future.

could move around as I wanted.

to live. Without CAS3, I’d still be

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PART 3

People-Centred Support

The average length of stay in our homes is 12 months and after that time people move on to their next step home.

76 % 80 % 78 %

36k

Hours of support for residents

Because the factors that lead to

And we do all this in a down

homelessness are complex, this

to earth way. Precisely because

places significant stress on our Local

the challenges people face are

Authority partners and on those

multifaceted and complex our

who experience homeless. There

support should be simple, honest,

is no one size fits all solution and

down to earth and kind.

support must always be a pattern not a padlock. Our professional

Because of our commitment to

teams of colleagues have decades

person-centred and transformational

of experience in responding to

support packages, we have been

people’s needs and mentoring

able to enable positive planned

people to the find the best solutions

move ons to the next step of many

for themselves.

individual journeys. Each year we offer over 36,000 hours of tailored,

We build on people’s individual capabilities and address the systemic issues that led to their

personal support for our residents.

of residents have a positive move on from our cluster homes of residents have a positive move on from our enhanced services for those with higher support needs

of residents in our enhanced supported selfaccommodation schemes have a positive move on

experience of homelessness.

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PART 3

“ Everyone is different and deserves the chance to become self-sufficient.

However not everyone is ready to take that big step to full independence, so we provide homes with support and oversight to those who need more care and supervision.”

Supported Housing For Single People

Cara Property & Resident Support Manager, Leicester

Our goal is to support residents, maintain their accommodation, avoid unplanned departures, help them improve their independent living skills and address their broader needs.

Where extra care and attention is

be better for some to allow them

required, we can tailor our solutions

to live in their own home with much

to meet specific needs. Some of

more supervision and support.

our residents need extra support.

By being adaptable and seeking to

We provided an initial 14 one-

understand each person’s needs, we

bed apartments, including twice

can provide suitable accommodation.

daily checks at property (including

bedroom checks), weekend/ Leicester City Council recognised

emergency cover for emergency

that not all single people who

support, management of

present to them are capable

‘safeguarding’ issues and

of living in semi-independent

their case management.

shared accommodation or in no/ low-supported self-contained

Our goal is to support residents

accommodation.

to maintain their accommodation, avoid unplanned departures, help

Although their 24/7 Dawn Centre

them improve their independent

housed some individuals, its capacity

living skills and address their

was constrained, and it was clear

broader needs.

an alternative pathway would

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PART 3

Naisha’s Story Our team worked hard to communicate in a way that was appropriate and accessible for Naisha and to celebrate our cultural differences.

Tony’s Story Naisha came to The Housing Network from a women’s refuge, on the long journey as a survivor of domestic abuse. From the day she arrived, our team worked hard to build a relationship of trust after the ordeal she had been through. Our team worked hard to communicate in a way that was appropriate and accessible for Naisha and to celebrate our cultural differences, the things that restricted her from some of the provisions that are

Given socio-economic inequalities

The usual staffing model meant that

and the challenges people with

after 5pm the building was unstaffed.

freely available to other people.

a learning disability are likely to

Our team stood with her every

housing and benefits systems,

recognised his additional needs and

people experiencing homelessness

the requirement to make significant

are more likely to have learning

adjustments. A care team was brought

disabilities than the general

in, and he spoke with staff to say he

population. People with a learning

felt much safer being there, as we

disability can be ‘effectively invisible’

have a security team 24-7 and a

in homelessness statistics as learning

member of staff on from morning

disabilities can be masked by other

to midnight 7-days per week.

step of the way to advocate for her and overcome some of the barriers to accessing the support she needed. Naisha has now been able to build her confidence in a safe environment and to access the accommodation, furniture and transport to move to her new life and a brighter future.

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Tony was supported to quickly find appropriate accommodation and moved to his fresh start with the support from the care provider we found who carried on the support in his new home.

experience in navigating complex

When Tony arrived, the team

difficulties or misclassified.

Tony was supported to quickly find Tony come to The Housing Network

appropriate accommodation and

after he was bullied in his temporary

moved to his fresh start with the

accommodation. Tony, like many

support from the care provider we

people with learning disabilities, was

found who carried on the support

more likely to be more vulnerable

in his new home. This transitional

in relationships, facing greater

and consistent support, so often

potential for neglect and financial,

overlooked, has been pivotal in

sexual and emotional abuse.

Tony building a positive new life.

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Part 4

Making A Difference Every day we work together to make a difference and this is something each and every colleague at The Housing Network takes pride in.

PART 4

Our Impact

36,000 2022 / 2023

Report Card

78 £23M %

5,300

hours of tailored personal support to our residents

positive move on saved for Local Authorities* *Based on £20 saving on B&B costs per resident per night

people housed

1,370 self-contained family homes 1,560 single people supported in shared accommodation 1,233 specialist support settings (including our CAS3 programme) 40

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PART 4

The Places We Call Home

We’ve worked with 96 Local Authorities across the UK:

East of England London South East South West West Midlands East Midlands Scotland 42

Over the last year we have supported 5,337 individuals and families, in locations all over the UK, providing that first step of support for people to create houses and communities they call home.

PART 4

We are on an ESG journey to deliver more than a roof for not just those we support and work in partnership with, but the wider community and the place we all call home- our planet.

Protecting Our Planet, Our Home More Than Our Future Emissions Footprint and our journey

we see the pressing need to face

towards achieving Net Zero.

our climate emergency and protect

Baseline emissions are a record

our planet- ultimately, regardless

of the greenhouse gases that have

of our background or circumstances

been produced in the past and were

it’s the place we all call home.

produced prior to the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions.

At The Housing Network we know it

Our Baseline Emissions Footprint

is not just enough to care for people.

will be the reference point against

We need to live and operate in a

which emissions reduction will

way which respects our planetary

be measured.

boundaries, particularly with regard In all our partnerships, as well as offering great homes and We are committed to developing

transformational support we

a Carbon Reduction Plan and

also offer a range of social value

are currently working towards

activities, to maximise the impact

publishing a full implementation

of our work for the whole community.

plan which will include our Baseline

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supporting organisations to promote local skills and employment

Growth

More and more, in every sector,

to environmental impact.

Jobs

supporting the growth of responsible regional business

Social creating healthier, safer and more resilient communities

Environment decarbonising and safeguarding our planet

Innovation promoting social innovation 45

PART 4

Looking Ahead No one in The Housing Network is sitting back as there is so much more to do.

We will continue to strive to innovate Marc & Gary Managing Directors and deliver dignified, accessible, and effective solutions to our partners and to those who we support.

Over the last year we have continued to develop the way we deliver deep and lasting impact, and we are proud that this has been celebrated by the increased number of partners we work with.

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We are proud of our team and their passion and the way we have been able to deploy our learning and resources in new areas of need. We look forward to continuing to work towards our vision that when life is at its toughest, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives.

© 2023 THE HOUSING NETWORK

©2022 THE HOUSING NETWORK office@thehousingnetwork.co.uk 01582 320 645