creating communities to be proud of
famous five - project horizon
More than bricks and mortar
Innovative Project Horizon saw life-changing opportunities for young people and a radically improved Grange and Crowland estate as it addressed the problem of empty properties, anti-social behaviour, homelessness and unemployment that faced the neighbourhood.
The Neighbourhood Renewal-supported project – the first of its kind in the country – saw new tenants enrolled in a refurbishment training programme as well as offering them a home.
Young people took up residency in Chester Walk while taking part in a construction training scheme. The scheme saw them renovate homes before they moved in while gaining invaluable skills training and employment opportunities.
The successful project saw:
- the refurbishment of 26 previously empty properties
- 19 unoccupied properties let
- 17 tenants successfully complete their training placements
- 14 tenants finding permanent employment
- 11 previously homeless people settled in accommodation.
Extended housing support was also provided giving advice about benefits, employment and debt to successfully enable tenants to establish themselves in their own homes and as members of the new community.
The majority of the properties had been boarded up for some time, gardens were overgrown, fences broken and the area was a prime target for fly-tipping and rubbish.
The Housing Quality Network who carried out an evaluation report said: “We carry out extensive consultancy work in the social housing sector and whilst we have become aware of many training projects in the construction industry including housing organisations offering apprenticeships either directly or through partner organisations, this is the only one we are aware of where opportunities for homeless persons to obtain training and housing has been combined.”
But of course the true impact of the project has been the change it has made to the individual trainees, their lifestyle and their stability – securing accommodation, training and employment.
Former Project Horizon trainee Michael Andrews is now giving properties a lick of paint and bright new decoration after gaining employment with Mears, our repairs and maintenance partners.
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© 2007-2010 Shoreline Housing Partnership Ltd. Registered Charity Number 1107876. |
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