Social enterprise opens new shared accommodation in Peterborough

Abdul Khan (Chief Exec Supported Housing Fellowship), Gerrard Dempsey (Co Founder of the 3 Pillars) and Victoria Taylor (Rough Sleeper Outreach Officer, Peterborough City Council). Photo: Lauren Irving

Five new male tenants were welcomed into their new home on Birchtree Avenue, Dogsthorpe on Monday (February 22).

The property is being leased by the Supported Housing Fellowship, who have added this to their growing portfolio in the city after opening their first site, a two bedroom home in Princes Street, last month.

All of the tenants were previously homeless and were referred to the Supported Housing Fellowship by Peterborough City Council.

Kerry Aldred, Steve Marsh and Ged Dempsey with volunteers from the Supported Housing Fellowship, The Three Pillars and the Cold Feet Campaign at the opening of the new supporting housing residence at Birchtree Avenue, Dogsthorpe.

Recently, a new online portal was launched to give council officers direct access to all of the rooms available at the Supported Housing Fellowship.

The 6 bedroom property has been freshly renovated, with one of the bedrooms having been converted into a study with and kitted out with a laptop that has been donated by a local resident. The organisation have also received generous donations of white goods and other essential items, which have helped to furnish their properties.

While staying at the property, residents will not only be provided with a roof over their heads but also access to a series of one-to-one support to help them boost their CV, find work or get help with any other issues they are dealing with.

Much of this support is provided by volunteers who are on hand to help with anything from low level needs to help with shopping or setting up a bank account.

Inside one of the bedrooms. Photo: Lauren Irving

The organisation is also in the process of opening an all-female residency in Dogsthorpe Road in the next five weeks.

CEO Abdul Khan said: “Since opening our first property in January, things have been going really well and we’ve been getting great traction.

“We are so thankful to our volunteers for helping us and it was great to see many of them at the opening.

“We are keen to continue to grow and work with more landlords in the city and change perceptions about letting their properties to the homeless. I have worked for a national housing association and know the problems for homeless people trying to get on the property ladder. I’m well aware of bst practice too and am excited to get to implement that in Peterborough.

“We look forward to our first all-female property opening in the not too distant future.”

The Supported Housing Fellowship is always on the look out for volunteers, anyone that is interested can contact [email protected] ov visit www.facebook.com/supportedhousingfellowship/.

New social enterprise helping to house the homeless opens first property in Peterborough