15-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Homlessness prevention programme launched in Newport
The HomeLife Partnership was unveiled earlier this month at The Hive in Newport.
The initiative aims to tackle the increasing number of people facing homelessness or rough sleeping in the city.
The programme has been made possible thanks to funding from Homewards, the Royal Foundation and Prince William's programme dedicated to stopping homelessness.
It will run for 12 months in Newport during which it will make an effort to identify people at risk and provide early intervention using community-based services.
The initiative is a collaboration between Housing Justice, Barnardo's, and the Pobl Group.
HomeLife will provide resources for adults and children facing homelessness in Newport through three organisations.
The first approach, led by Housing Justice, is the introduction of the 'Citadel' initiative in Newport.
Already successful in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Wrexham, it focuses on homelessness prevention, community integration, and tenancy sustainment.
Individuals are supported by volunteers, assisting them in adjusting to their new homes, joining social clubs or community groups, budgeting, or simply providing company.
George Butler, Housing Justice's head of Citadel, said: "We are delighted to be launching Citadel as part of the HomeLife partnership today, and are very much looking forward to working with Barnardo's and Pobl on this groundbreaking project over the next year.
"Citadel is not like other initiatives to end homelessness.
"We believe that communities themselves can, and do, play an integral role in ending homelessness and housing insecurity.
"Support from Citadel volunteers takes many forms - it could be support with decorating and furnishing a home, joining a social club or community group, managing bills and budgeting, or just having a cup of coffee and a chat - it all depends on the individual, and our wonderful volunteers."
The second avenue involves Barnardo's running workshops for families who live in temporary accommodation or those at risk of homelessness.
Through these workshops held at The Hive, Barnardo's will offer a safe space where families can access various resources, interact with staff, and engage in activities such as cooking and laundry.
The third approach involves Pobl Group providing The Hive as a community space where these workshops, as well as cooking and laundry services for homeless individuals, can be held.
Helen Roper, local delivery lead for Homewards Newport said: "We are excited to see the launch of the HomeLife project in Newport.
"Homewards' aim is to demonstrate it's possible to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated, and the launch of this project is a huge step towards making that aim a reality in Newport.
"We are very grateful to be working with so many brilliant partners in Newport and great to see the partnership of Housing Justice, Pobl Group and Barnardo's come to life."
The HomeLife partners are all members of the Homewards Newport Coalition, a group that works with the Royal Foundation and Homewards to make homelessness a rare and unrepeated occurrence.
