On any one given night in autumn 2023, 3,898 people were sleeping rough across England. That’s an increase of 27% on the previous year.[1]  English councils supported 317,430 households to prevent or relieve homelessness between in 2023 – a record high.[2] One area where the need is high is Oxfordshire - in 2022-23, there were 1,852 households in Oxford on social housing waiting lists.[3] At the start of 2023, the South East had 25,940 people homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by the council.[4] The National Homelessness Property Fund 2 (NHPF2) is working to solve this issue.  

Through partnering with Response, a homelessness charity based in Oxfordshire and one of the fund’s expert housing partners, 21 out of 27 properties in Oxford have so far been handed over, enabling the charity to provide people facing housing crisis in the county with a decent home to live in. These homes are a mix of one beds and Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) where tenants live together, allowing for flexibility for tenants with differing needs. A recent 4-bed shared property was purchased in a residential area of Oxford, close to green spaces and shops, with good local transport links. The tenants, all of whom have experienced homelessness, can enjoy a shared living and dining room and kitchen, but all have their own private bedroom space. They also share a large, enclosed garden at the back, and a small garden and driveway at the front of the property. The tenants have reported how much they enjoy their new home. 

Take a tour of one of the properties purchased by NHPF2, here.

Properties are renovated to a high standard, with a focus on making them more energy efficient, ensuring they are safe and decent places to live, in local communities. For this property, Resonance’s teams have ensured:  

• Improved energy efficiencies, with new electric heating, extractor fans, insulation improvements in the loft and walls, energy saving lightbulbs and solar panels 
• Improved safety, with fire doors throughout the home 
• Painting and decorating throughout the property 
• Upgraded kitchen cabinets  
• A tidy up of the garden  
• Fully furnished property with beds, bedding, wardrobes, sofas, dining table & chair 
• Fully set up kitchen, with white goods and kitchen utensils  

This home meets the Decent Home Standard and is HMO licenced, and NHPF2 will provide ongoing in-house repairs and maintenance if/as needed. Working with housing partner Response, NHPF2 is able to not only provide tenants with a safe and secure home, but also specialist support for tenants struggling with mental health issues, addiction issues, and trauma, enabling them to start leading their lives with independence. 

“Property prices in Oxfordshire are amongst the most expensive to buy or let in the country, and we know that people often find themselves struggling to find safe and well-maintained properties to live in after periods of homelessness.   

Response is proud to work alongside Resonance, who have helped us find homes and develop supportive communities for people to get back on their feet and thrive.  

The commitment of Resonance in working with us to bring these properties into our services has changed the lives of many people for the better, and we look forward to continuing to develop our portfolio together long into the future.”  

Mark Hoare, Project Delivery Manager, Response

About the National Homelessness Property Fund 2  

National Homelessness Property Fund 2 was created in response to the growing need for affordable housing, providing safe and decent homes for people in housing crisis, and launched in December 2020. Initially, the fund’s focus was on providing homes in the Greater Manchester region, but has expanded into other regions across the UK including Bristol, Oxford and Merseyside. 

As of June 2024, the fund has a total of 346 properties in its portfolio of which 291 are now tenanted. An additional 55 are currently in refurb and another 42 in conveyancing. 

The fund is aiming to purchase 1,500 family and one-bedroom homes - including from portfolio purchases - across the UK, to house more than 16,000 people over its lifetime. 

NOTES

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[1] https://www.crisis.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/rough-sleeping-rises-by-27-as-the-homelessness-crisis-deepens-across-england/

[2] https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/britains-homelessness-shame-cold-hard-facts/

[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-social-housing-sales

[4] https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/at_least_271000_people_are_homeless_in_england_today