Homes for Cathy Welcome Pack

#acttogether



AboutHomes for CathyIn the spring of 2016, a small group of Homes for Cathy Principleshousing associations that were formedin the 1960s and early 70s came together Moving forward over the next few years,to mark the 50th anniversary of the film the Homes for Cathy group are committed‘Cathy Come Home’ and to highlight the to:continuing needs of homeless people, aswell as the challenges created by changes • Continue lobbying for solutions thatin the welfare system over recent years. make a difference in the lives of homeless people and people at risk ofWhilst the original membership of the homelessness.Homes for Cathy group was focussedon housing associations established • Sharing good practice betweenin the 1960s and early 1970s, the group ourselves that help preventnow includes all housing associations, homelessness and find secure homeswho subscribe to our principles and for people who are homeless.commitments, and who are willing to helpachieve our aims. Group MembershipThe group now stands at 72 housing All housing associations who share theassociations from across the country group’s concerns about homelessness- each of them keen to promote the are invited to join. There is no charge forprinciples of the Homes for Cathy group. membership. To join us, please contact: [email protected] 01442 292531 @HomesforCathy

The plan to endhomelessnessFollowing the success of the first Homes for The Homes for Cathy CommitmentsCathy conference, the group have worked should be seen as an aspirationalwith Crisis to incorporate feedback from standard for Homes for Cathy membershousing associations into nine Homes for to work towards (with the agreement ofCathy Commitments. their Boards) and as a tool to develop their policies and practices.Homes for Cathy works to bridge thegaps between the different organisations The nine commitments are outlinedwho share the aim of tackling opposite. Full details, including researchhomelessness. Our aim is to engage with and case studies, have been included inthe wider housing sector, with Government, the ‘Plan to End Homelessness’ publishedwith local authories and with charities on by Crisis.our Commitments.

Our commitments1 To contribute to the development and execution of local authority homelessness strategies.2 To operate flexible allocations and eligibility policies which allow individual applicants’ unique set of circumstances and housing history to be considered.3 To offer constructive solutions to applicants who aren’t deemed eligible for an offer of a home.4 To not make any tenant seeking to prevent their homelessness, homeless (as defined by the plan definition).5 To commit to meeting the needs of vulnerable tenant groups.6 To work in partnership to provide a range of affordable housing options which meet the needs of all homeless people in their local communities.7 To ensure that properties offered to homeless people should be ready to move into.8 To contribute to ending migrant homelessness in the areas Housing Associations operate.9 To lobby, challenge and inspire others to support ending homelessness.

www.homesforcathy.org.uk@HomesforCathy