Originally published 21st January 2022

We are excited to be involved in this project to help end homelessness.

Homelessness services across Gwent have faced numerous challenges, exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic. Demand for accommodation services remain high.

It is anticipated that additional pressures on both temporary and permanent accommodation will rise due to the number of people experiencing financial difficulty.

In the year ended 31st March 2020, 1,938 households were threatened with homelessness across Gwent. In addition, demand for support services were oversubscribed. Consequently, it is vital that all agencies in Gwent work together to help those affected.

The National Lottery Community Fund Helping End Homelessness is a £10 million fund specifically for projects that improve services to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurrent.

This programme has been awarded £49,976 towards an integrated network of support services including housing, health, training and employment initiatives to help end homelessness. This awarded grant will support the development of a full 5-7 year project. The project is person-centred and aims to develop plans for four key themes across Gwent.

  • Training and employment opportunities
  • A peer advisor programme
  • Trauma-informed specialist services
  • Housing

In addition to Tai Calon, the project has 21 organisations, each representing communities with a housing need.

The new fund will re-design much needed support services for tenancy and housing. With demand for housing meaning increased use of the private rented sector, the new service will support landlords and tenants to avoid tenancy breakdown, resolve conflict and reduce the risk of potential homelessness.