Our supported housing service provided homes for people who are homeless or in housing crisis. We offer a safe place to live for over 200 people at any one time through day-to-day support, residential services and green social prescribing. Our overarching aim is that together we can end homelessness and create opportunities where all people can flourish.
The UK Housing Awards celebrates the amazing work of housing providers. And we are delighted to be finalists in two categories at this year’s event – the Resident Employment and Training Award for our Project 5 pilot and Homelessness Project of the Year for the award-winning Greater Manchester Housing First initiative.
Project 5 was created alongside service users, who co-produced this pilot project that supports those transitioning out of homelessness and into volunteering roles, further education or employment. It provides learning and training opportunities for residents, increasing wellbeing, building confidence, teaching literacy and numeracy skills and breaking down barriers. It is tailored to individual learners and includes a three-day residential at Trafford Hall, Cheshire.
Housing First uses housing as a platform to move individuals away from homelessness and into their own home. Unlike other supported housing models, individuals do not need to prove they are ready for housing and will not need to move through different accommodation services. There are no conditions placed on them, other than a willingness to maintain a tenancy agreement. Petrus is the Zone B lead for Greater Manchester Housing First, covering Bolton, Bury and Rochdale in partnership with Early Break and The Bond Board. Greater Manchester Housing First was named Best Initiative for Tackling Homelessness at the Northern Housing Awards 2022.
Sonia Denham, Head of Petrus, said: “Both Project 5 and Greater Manchester Housing First are incredible, life changing initiatives that have delivered exceptional results since they began. Being a finalist at the UK Housing Awards is a huge recognition and one that the entire Petrus team is rightly proud of.”
Winners will be announced in November at a ceremony held in Manchester – watch this space!