Trent & Dove has partnered with North West Leicestershire District Council to provide five new family homes for households at risk of homelessness, helping them avoid stays in hotels or B&Bs. The homes will accommodate families facing homelessness because of circumstances including unaffordable private rent increases and relationship breakdowns, while they wait for permanent housing.

The partnership aims to give children and their families greater stability, space and the opportunity to maintain their everyday routines during a difficult period.

The announcement coincides with the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Week, running from 19 to 23 October. Trent & Dove is also highlighting its wider work to help people move out of homelessness and sustain their tenancies. Its Housing First service, commissioned by East Staffordshire Borough Council, provides a home alongside flexible, personalised support for people who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.

Kirsty Williams, Housing First Officer at Trent & Dove, said: “Housing First is built around Seven principles, including choice, control, flexible support and separation of housing and support. People are not required to engage with support as a condition of keeping their home.”

Support can include help with budgeting, understanding bills, attending appointments and accessing other services, shaped around each person’s needs and choices.

Trent & Dove’s Next Steps service provides supported accommodation and targeted support for up to two years. Since its launch in 2021, it has supported 43 people, with 32 moving on after receiving the support they needed.

Meanwhile, its 11-bed Sycamore Court scheme helps people who have never held a tenancy or whose previous tenancies have broken down to develop the skills needed for independent living.

Since opening in 2021, Sycamore Court has housed 35 people. Of the 24 who have moved on, 21 have moved into general needs tenancies.