The Bridge Project (Bridge), a Bradford-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, mental health challenges and domestic abuse, has secured a £2.475 million loan from Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC) through its Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II) to purchase 25 properties across the city.
The portfolio comprises of a mix of one and two bedroom properties, in addition to one three-bedroom and one four-bedroom property. These homes will support Bradford Council-commissioned services, including Housing First, an internationally recognised model developed in the United States, as well as accommodation for women and individuals with drug and alcohol dependencies.
The investment responds to growing demand for social and emergency housing in Bradford, which continues to exceed supply. It will also support a rising number of people experiencing four or more unmet needs, who require wraparound, trauma-informed support to sustain tenancies and rebuild their lives.
By moving from leasing to ownership, Bridge will reduce reliance on the private rented sector and provide more stable, cost-effective homes for people with complex needs, while strengthening its long-term sustainability. Bridge has more than 40 years’ experience supporting people facing multiple barriers. Housing has been central to its approach since 2017, when its Lotus Project demonstrated that safe, stable accommodation is a foundation for lasting change.
Since then, the charity has expanded its housing alongside wider support services. Its Bridge Recovery Homes programme provides around 30 properties for people with multiple unmet needs, offering intensive, relationship-based support to help individuals manage tenancies, build life skills and reconnect with their communities. Bridge also delivers its Housing First programme, supporting up to 40 people with long histories of homelessness and exclusion, alongside temporary accommodation for women with young children in partnership with Waythrough.
With lived experience embedded across all levels of the organisation, Bridge staff work closely with health, justice, housing and community partners to reduce harm, increase safety, and help people rebuild stable, independent lives.
Jon Royle Chief Executive of The Bridge Project said, “This investment will allow us to expand our impact by providing safe, high-quality homes for those who need them most. We will be able to accommodate up to 25 more people at any one time, with many more benefiting over the years ahead. By growing our owned property portfolio and reducing reliance on the private rented sector, we can offer stable homes alongside trauma-informed support that helps people move from crisis to stability, independence and a more dignified future.”
Mark Bickford CEO of SASC said, “We are proud to support The Bridge Project in providing stable, high-quality housing for some of Bradford’s most vulnerable people. Targeted housing solutions like this can be transformative, helping people move out of crisis and into a more secure future.”
SASH II launched in November 2022 as the successor to SASH, which launched in May 2019 and deployed £64.5 million to frontline charities. The fund supports organisations to transition from leasing properties to ownership, enabling the delivery of long-term, high-impact housing solutions.
For more information on The Bridge Project visit: www.thebridgeproject.org.uk
