PRESS RELEASE

23 January 2012

Another ‘Good Move’ by Homeless Charity Alabaré

Salisbury based charity Alabaré Christian Care and Support has been awarded £40,000 by Crisis to help single homeless people across Wiltshire find and sustain a place to live, and also encourage private landlords to let their properties to homeless people, by setting up a Social Enterprise Lettings Agents.

The new initiative called Alabaré Good Move will provide support to both tenants and landlords who sign up to the scheme. A full letting service will be available to landlords and offer an alternative to the high street letting agents, with any profit generated being recycled to enable more tenants to be helped. A package of support will be provided to the tenants to ensure that their tenancy is a success.

This project is one of over seventy new local projects across England funded by Crisis that will help single homeless people find new homes and lasting independence, to add to an existing 49 that have already helped over 1,000 homeless people into a home. Crisis has allocated £3 million in total, provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Crisis has more than a decade of experience in helping homeless people find new homes in the private rented sector. Alabaré is celebrating 21 years this year, supporting vulnerable people across the South West of England.

Alabaré Manager Mel Greenstock said: “Alabaré is committed to enabling those who are vulnerable or facing homelessness to achieve a fulfilling life, and working with Crisis in this new initiative is another way of helping us to do this. The Alabaré Good Move scheme will ensure that both vulnerable tenants and landlords are supported in the private rented sector, helping those at risk of homelessness to take first steps towards building a future for themselves.”

Crisis Chief Executive Leslie Morphy said: “Most single homeless people have little chance of acquiring council accommodation and finding a flat in the private rented sector can be a complex and expensive option. They need advice and help, but in many areas of the country, these specialist services are simply not there.”

“Crisis asked local voluntary organisations to bid for these new funds so that we can kick-start the establishment of new private rented sector access schemes. These schemes will help people overcome financial barriers, match them to good landlords and help more individuals avoid the perils of homelessness.”

Alabaré’s new initiative - Alabaré Good Move –adds to an existing 45 projects run by Alabaré, which include amongst others; supported housing for Armed Forces Veterans, lifelong support for people with learning disabilities, Drop In centres for those sleeping rough, and support for young people leaving care. Alabaré’s work spans across the South and South-West, from Gosport to Bristol with plans to expand further north in the near future.

Landlords interested in the Scheme should contact Alabaré Head Office on 01722 322882.