Growing a model to solve shortage of temporary housing

Temporary accommodation isn't the answer

Across the UK, individuals and families in vulnerable situations and at risk of homelessness often find themselves trapped in temporary accommodation due to a shortage of social or affordable housing. Before being able to access this housing, they are often placed in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts, which are expensive for local authorities, often low quality, and produce poor social outcomes. JRF analysis shows that councils’ spending on temporary accommodation doubled from £790 million in 2012/13 to £1.59 billion by 2021/22.

A fund that provides high quality temporary accommodation

National Homelessness Property Fund 1, managed by Resonance, works with housing partners to provide homes for individuals and families in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness, helping them become more independent and enabling them to make positive developments in other areas of their lives. Housing partners, such as current partners Developing Housing and Independence (DHI), and St Mungo’s, lease the homes from the fund on a long-term and affordable basis, manage the properties, and support the tenants whilst helping them to plan a move into more permanent rented accommodation.

Social investment provides security and independence

The fund’s 229 homes have provided quality homes to 580 tenants, including just over 300 children. The homes help to give individuals and families a sense of security and independence, as well as support with building resilience against homelessness.

JRF’s investment: £500,000 investment into this social investment fund was completed in 2017.

Chris Cullen, Head of Homelessness Property Funds at Resonance said:

"We are grateful for Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s investment into National Homelessness Property Fund 1. This was an important investment, as combined with that of other investors, it enabled the fund to purchase 229 homes for people facing housing crisis in Bristol, Oxford and Milton Keynes. Support provided by the fund’s housing partners, St Mungo’s and DHI, helps tenants to start creating more positive futures for themselves.”

Discover more about social investment at JRF.