Trident Group, a housing association providing supported housing for vulnerable people in Birmingham, is using national ‘Starts at Home’ day to celebrate these vital services, having helped secure a major campaign win from Government to ensure they have secure and stable funding in the long term to support local residents.
‘Starts at Home’ day celebrates the help hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people receive to gain their independence and confidence through supported housing. Now in its third year, it is run by the National Housing Federation, which represents social landlords to around 6 million people.
As part of the campaign, Trident Group’s care and support charity, Trident Reach, has raised awareness, and hosted an event at one of their Domestic Abuse refuges in the city. The event highlighted the need for supported housing to local Councillor Nicky Brennan, who is also the Cabinet Advisor for Domestic Abuse at Birmingham City Council, urging them to champion supported housing and the domestic abuse service. However, they stressed that it is now more important than ever to continue demonstrating the quality and value of supported housing services through ‘Starts at Home’ day. The Government also announced two weeks ago that they will carry out a review of funding for the support services provided in supported housing, which is already under huge pressure across the sector.
Trident Group is now joining the National Housing Foundation and its members, in continuing to celebrate and protect these housing schemes to ensure that every person in Birmingham and right across the Midlands who needs extra support has a home to turn to.
Christine Peddie, Team Leader at Trident Reach, said: “We’re grateful to champion the remarkable work our supported services do. We also welcome the fantastic news that funding for supported housing will remain within Housing Benefit, which allows us to continue to our life changing work with those most vulnerable across the Midlands. However we also do recognise that there are more issues to overcome to ensure our customers get the best support services they deserve at a time of great need.”
Councillor Nicky Brennan said: “Supported housing, like Trident Reach’s Domestic Abuse refuge, not only transforms lives but it also saves them. Without it women and children would be forced to stay in unthinkable situations. It can be a turning point in women gaining independence, confidence and becoming empowered. We should never underestimate their importance and making sure they are properly funded should be at the top of everybody’s agenda. I am proud to support the Starts at Home campaign as every person should have a home that supports their needs and helps them thrive.”
David Orr, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation said: “Supported housing provides a safe and secure home that helps people to live independently and to achieve their aspirations. Our Starts at Home campaign has never been more critical in showcasing the sector’s fantastic work but also in showing Government why services providing support to vulnerable people should be given secure and sustainable funding for years to come.”