Changing Lives, a national charity supporting people experiencing the challenges of homelessness, has secured a £2,510,000 loan from Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC) through its Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II), to purchase homes to accommodate people moving on from its supported accommodation.

The charity will acquire 25 one-bedroom move-on flats including fifteen in Newcastle, five in Doncaster and five in Durham, providing vital next-step accommodation for people not yet ready for fully independent living. The homes will provide stability for people and enable them to rebuild routines, gain confidence and independence as they prepare to manage a tenancy.

The investment comes at a critical time. Latest Government data shows the number of people sleeping rough in England is at its highest level since records began in 2010, with the steepest year-on-year rise in the Northeast, where numbers increased by 31%.

Changing Lives began 55 years ago as a small charity called Tyneside Cyrenians based in Newcastle and now operates nationally. Each year, it helps more than 14,000 people facing homelessness, domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, addiction, long-term unemployment and involvement with the justice system to stabilise their lives and move towards independence.

Demand for housing has intensified in recent years as the private rented market has become increasingly competitive and expensive, making it harder for the charity to secure suitable homes for people ready to move on from hostels. Short-term tenancies, rent increases and limited landlord availability can restrict options even for people engaging well with support, making move-on pathways harder to plan and increasing the risk of repeat homelessness.

By owning or controlling more of its own housing stock, Changing Lives can complement private rented options with stable, appropriate homes aligned with support delivery and long-term outcomes. The move also marks an evolution in the charity’s long-term strategy. A stronger financial position allows the charity to plan further ahead and take a more proactive approach to securing housing as well as delivering support. Its long term ambition is to own or control as much housing stock as possible, so it can consistently offer services to people in need, regardless of market conditions.

Stephen Bell OBE, Chief Executive at Changing Lives, said: “Hostels are vital in a crisis, but they’re not intended to be long term homes. Staying too long can unintentionally create dependency, limit autonomy and make it harder for people to build the rhythms of everyday life, something essential to long term tenancy success. Move on accommodation represents hope in a very practical form. People can strengthen life skills, reconnect with family or community, and work towards wellbeing goals in an environment that feels like theirs, but with the reassurance that support is still close by.”

Mark Bickford, CEO of SASC said: “Organisations like Changing Lives are working tirelessly to give people not just a roof over their heads, but the stability and support they need to rebuild their lives. This investment will enable the charity to secure high-quality homes linked directly to support services, helping more people move towards lasting independence.”

SASH II launched in November 2022 and is the follow-on fund to SASH which launched in May 2019 and successfully raised and allocated £64.5m to frontline charities. The fund supports charitable organisations that deliver a combination of support and housing to move from renting existing housing stock to owning it.

For more information on SASC visit: www.socialandsustainable.com

For more information on Changing Lives visit: www.changing-lives.org.uk
Changing Lives has been helping people facing some of the most challenging circumstances for 50 years. They began as a small charity in the North East called Tyneside Cyrenians, later The Cyrenians, helping people who were experiencing homelessness through their hostels and day centres. They now operate nationally, helping over 14,000 people each year to change their lives for the better.