A new homelessness initiative will see 47 people provided with housing and support.

Property fund manager Resonance, via its national homelessness property fund, has announced a new housing partner, Oxford-based charity, Response.

This marks a new three-way partnership between Resonance, Response and Oxford City Council and will see around 47 people in the city facing housing crisis, provided with a stable and affordable home and specialist support.

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This partnership is also essential in the countywide ‘Settled Oxfordshire’ project which provides a housing-led approach for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in the area.

Following investment from Oxford City Council, Resonance’s social impact fund is now purchasing around 10 shared homes in Oxford and 17 one-bedroom flats in and around Oxford.

The fund refurbishes properties to a good standard, ensuring they are energy efficient, before leasing them to housing partners to provide individuals and families at risk of homelessness with a settled home.

John Williams, managing director of property funds at Resonance, said: “I am delighted that National Homelessness Property Fund 2 has partnered with Oxford-based charity Response.

“This partnership is providing an opportunity for us to make a real difference to the lives of people sleeping rough or living in temporary accommodation in Oxford.

“It means that people in the city in need of decent and stable housing but unable to access the private rental market can be provided with a safe and affordable home and, with specialist support services provided by Response, start creating positive futures for themselves.”

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In Oxford, the fund is being used to house people including those in council temporary accommodation who are at risk of rough sleeping, as well as people who are leaving high-needs supported accommodation but not eligible for social housing, and those experiencing rough sleeping for the first time.

Alongside investment from Oxford City Council into the fund, additional investment also included a £2 million contribution from the government’s Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP), and at least a further £2 million from the fund’s existing investors which has been allocated to support buying the Oxford properties.

RSAP aims to provide longer-term, move-on accommodation and specialist support to rough sleepers across the UK, enabling them to transition into independent living.

Partnering with Response means that Resonance’s fund provides people in Oxford with more than just a decent and affordable home, by providing them with stability and specialist support services.

Response provides person-centred, recovery-focused, wraparound support for people with mental health issues and complex needs, enabling them to live independently within their local community.  

Nicola Leavesley, Response joint CEO, and Luke Winstone, Settled Oxfordshire manager, said: “We’re thrilled to have been chosen to work in partnership with Resonance and Oxford City Council to deliver this critical service.

“This initiative strongly aligns with our caring, safe, creative and aspirational values."

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1