Spring Housing have now published their 9^th full report, The Benefits of Youth?

This research project involved a twelve-month scheme devised by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), aiming to test financial support and simplification of the benefits system for young people living in commissioned supported housing who transition into paid employment. This scheme was devised in recognition of the barriers to both employment and housing sustainment posed by high supported housing rents and the complex interplay between Housing Benefit and Universal Credit systems.

Using in-depth qualitative methods to understand the experiences of young people and supported housing organisations taking part, this independent review tracking the progress of participants over the lifetime of the scheme is now published. The report also proposes further innovations and solutions to this long-standing policy and practice issue.

On Wednesday 10^th November 2019, over 160 professionals came together for our webinar, Being Missed or Missing Out: where next for women and rough sleeping?

 This event – the first in a proposed series – sought to interrogate and challenge ‘traditional’ ways of looking at and engaging with ‘rough sleeping.’ It considered the way ‘rough sleeping’ is characterised, counted, and operationalised and how this can affect women. The event shone a light on the work being done by organisations in the sector to create and deliver specialist women-centred responses and considered how women experiencing ‘multiple disadvantage’ and homelessness are currently being catered for.

Along with a contribution from Spring Housing’s Thea Raisbeck, we were joined on the day by representatives from Basis Yorkshire, Leeds City Council, Porchlight (Kent), Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse and Solace Women’s Aid. The event was expertly Chaired by Michaela Campbell, Ending Women’s Homelessness Lead at Homeless Link.

Being Missed or Missing Out where next for women and rough sleeping

Women and Rough Sleeping Research May 2021

Related documents:

Presentation Slides

Basis Women’s Homelessness and Strategic Change

Porchlight – Women’s Services – External Presentation

Westminster Housing First

Charter of Rights, Standards and Expectations Everyone living in exempt supported accommodation has a right to feel safe and protected; to live in decent conditions; to privacy, and to receive the support they are entitled to. It is your home, even if on a temporary basis. You have a ‘right to belong’ and to seek help and advice if you have any concerns.

This Charter has been developed with the close involvement of people with ‘lived experience’ of supported accommodation.

This study was designed to build on the foundational work of Spring Housing, the Perry Barr Neighbourhood Network Scheme (PBNNS) and its partners, aiming to explore deeper into the digital inclusion needs of Perry Barr’s diverse population. The aims of this study is to inform the development of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable digital inclusion initiatives to enable assets and community members to navigate and flourish in the digital age. The evolving needs of the community and the persistent barriers to digital inclusion highlight the necessity for ongoing and targeted support.

In 2019, Birmingham City Council sought to procure the local delivery of a Housing and Wellbeing Centre, or ‘Hub’, as part of their Vulnerable Adults Housing and Wellbeing Support Service for Offenders (immediate release). This commissioning activity by Adults Social Care had the broad aim of ‘enabling vulnerable adults to ‘live healthy, happy, independent lives within communities.’ The Offenders Housing and Wellbeing Centre formed part of a wider commissioning model, aiming to support vulnerable adults by providing early and targeted support to aid recovery and resilience so that:- Needs are met before they escalate.- Statutory or higher cost interventions are avoided or reduced.- Outcomes for the individuals (and carers) are improved.- Improved demand management is achieved.

Exempt from Responsibility?

Ending Social Injustice in Exempt Accommodation, Research and Feasibility Report for Commonweal Housing

Spring Housing Final Report A4

Spring Housing Executive Summary A4 8pp

This report presents selected findings from Phase 1 of an exploratory research and learning project carried out in Birmingham, UK, between July 2020 and March 2021. The findings contained within this report are tentative; providing initial insights and a baseline for further, in-depth, and structured research.

By Thea Raisbeck for Spring Housing and the Housing and Communities Research Group

• Sex workers are disproportionately impacted by homelessness– but their experiences of homelessness impact women more broadly.
• Women are much less likely to engage with traditional homelessness services – less likely to be seen on street counts, will stay with clients, dealers etc. rather than sleep rough.
• Current statutory homelessness interventions are not designed to respond to hidden homelessness, meaning women are often locked out of support.
• Women’s homelessness and trauma often go hand in hand – meaning that services can be inaccessible if they are not trauma informed.

Key learnings

• Income from trusts and major donors provides flexibility to learn and try new things
• Even small steps make a difference and begin a movement
• Ask women what they want/need and involve them in the process
• Involve frontline teams in consultations and steering groups

Period poverty isn’t just about not having period products—it’s connected to bigger issues like gender equality, homelessness, and access to healthcare. Addressing period poverty by providing education and support can help break down the barriers that keep homeless people from accessing the care they need without fear of stigma or judgment. Improving period education isn’t just about health—it’s about fairness and ensuring that even the most vulnerable people in our communities can manage their periods with dignity.

Charter of Rights, Standards and Expectations Everyone living in exempt supported accommodation has a right to feel safe and protected; to live in decent conditions; to privacy, and to receive the support they are entitled to. It is your home, even if on a temporary basis. You have a ‘right to belong’ and to seek help and advice if you have any concerns.

This Charter has been developed with the close involvement of people with ‘lived experience’ of supported accommodation.

As of April 2024, Spring Housing and St. Anne’s Hostel came together forming a new and more robust group structure. This collaboration enhances our ability to deliver better outcomes to our customers. We are proud to present our Strategic Plan for 2025 – 2030, setting out our vision for the next five years. As a group, we are stronger than ever, working tirelessly to ensure our customers thrive. This plan has been shaped by insights gathered from customer engagement events, strategic input from our board, and valuable feedback from staff and stakeholders. Our aim is to build upon our successes in preventing homelessness while continuously improving the quality of life for those we support.

A word from our Co-Chairs

As we reflect on the past decade, it is impossible not to be moved by both the challenges we’ve faced and the incredible progress we’ve made. Over these 10 years, Spring has been a constant source of support and hope for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. From navigating the global pandemic to grappling with the ongoing cost of living crisis, we have remained steadfast in our mission: to provide stable housing, comprehensive support, and, ultimately, a brighter future for those in need.

Here at Spring Housing we provide high quality accommodation and support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, care leavers, and refugees. We do this through a range of low cost, high quality housing options, a transitional Rent Relief scheme to help people back into work, housing support services, and an in-house repairs service. In addition, we offer help with benefits, as well as education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities. Our aspiration is to support the transition away from homelessness and housing need towards a future of stability, happiness and independence.