New Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) president Jo Richardson has today unveiled more about her presidential campaign, Homeful.
The Homeful campaign – which seeks to build on the success of the response to homelessness and rough sleeping during the pandemic, exploring housing-led approaches to resolve and prevent homelessness – was revealed by Richardson ahead of her becoming president last week.
Revealing more about the campaign, Richardson said: “Homeful is about exploring housing-led approaches to resolving and preventing homelessness, not only street homelessness but all circumstances of precarious, unaffordable or unsustainable housing, particularly in the current context of growth in use of temporary accommodation.”
The campaign will include the UK’s largest co-produced action research project, which will include people who have experienced homelessness, housing providers, homeless organisations, partner agencies, charities, and housing residents across the country to collect data, analyse findings, and share learning across all parts of the UK.
The CIH says this is a particularly timely piece of work and will provide an opportunity to reflect on what worked in the response to the pandemic and what further needs to be done to ensure sustainable, affordable housing is available for those who need it.
To kickstart the campaign, the CIH has launched a report with World Habitat that explores some of the lessons learned during COVID-19; particularly in regard to the ‘Everyone In’ initiative.
‘End homelessness for good’
Gavin Smart, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing said: “As housing professionals and organisations, we know that by collaborating across the sector we can do more to resolve and prevent homelessness throughout the UK.
“The Homeful campaign will be our opportunity to highlight good practice, share learning widely, and embed some of the lessons we learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s our opportunity to work together to end homelessness for good.”
The Homeful campaign will run for the duration of Jo’s presidency.
Over the next 18 months, in addition to completing research, Richardson will also be fundraising for her chosen presidential charity, End Youth Homelessness.
Nick Connolly, managing director of End Youth Homelessness said: “End Youth Homelessness is all about practical impact: testing new ideas, sharing our learning, and scaling what works.
“Jo’s Homeful campaign chimes with this philosophy, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with Jo and her team to help bring the specific needs of homeless young people into the wider debate about homeless services.
“We are also incredibly grateful that Jo has chosen to support End Youth Homelessness during her exciting fundraising plans.”
Jo Richardson is professor of housing and social inclusion, and she is associate dean for research and innovation in the faculty of business and law at De Montfort University.
She took over as the president of the Chartered Institute of Housing on 1 July 2021 and will serve till December 2022.
Richardson takes over the role of CIH president from Aileen Evans, whose presidential campaign focused on mental health.
Main image: Jo Richardson. Credit: Chartered Institute of Housing
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