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. And in England, councils supported 317,430 households to prevent or relieve homelessness between in 2023 - a record high.
One area where the need is high is Oxfordshire - in 2022-23, there were 1,852 households in Oxford on social housing waiting lists. At the start of 2023, the South East had 25,940 people homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by the council. 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.
And find out more about the fund, here: resonance.ltd.uk/for-investors/investment-opportunities/property-funds-1/national-homelessness-property-fund2