As part of the team behind the development of St Christopher's Square, Bristol, Socius has been working with FORE Partnership and Amicala, to support registered housing provider and not-for-profit organisation, ACH to deliver temporary housing for refugees in the city.
Hampton Lodge, an empty building on the St Christopher's Square site, which is currently awaiting the outcome of a planning application, has been transformed into apartments for people with refugee status, who are in vital need of interim housing.
Working with ACH, the development team has supported 12 people into move-on housing at Hampton Lodge, offering one-bedroom properties that are fully-furnished and fitted with white goods. This accommodation has provided people seeking sanctuary in Bristol with a place to call home whilst they receive support and training from ACH.
Hampton Lodge provides independent living and a guaranteed tenancy for a minimum of 12-months, at affordable rent prices, and with at least 3 months’ notice of future development works on-site.
Tenant, Jamac explains: “Hampton Lodge is good. I work full time and I’m able to support my family, in the future I will have enough money to save and get a flat.”
At the end of last year, to mark Socius’ first anniversary, some of our team joined ACH in Bristol to prepare the new apartments and communal areas for residents, by clearing the overgrown gardens, assembling furniture and preparing the bedrooms and shared kitchens.
Paul Hassan, Regional Partnerships Manager (South West) at ACH said: Thanks to the support we’ve received from Socius, FORE Partnership and Amicala, we now have 12 residents placed in Hampton Lodge, of which two have secured better full-time employment and the others are in the throes of looking at upskilling and career progression, as a direct result of having this new security.
“Thanks to this vital support, the team has helped to radically change lives for the better.”
