26 May 2011
The City of London and St Mungo's have won a major national housing award for The Lodge, their innovative new B&B style accommodation for longer term rough sleepers.
They won the 2011 Housing Excellence Partnering Scheme of the Year award for the 40-bed supported housing project near Chancery Lane, which opened last March.
The Lodge at St Ursula's provides a different model of accommodation for older people with a history of rough sleeping.
Around 33 of its guests over the last year have been people recognised in what's become known as the "205" group of longer term rough sleepers in the capital.
The Lodge guests have more independence over their lives than in a traditional hostel but support on hand from Lodge staff and outreach workers who actively help them with move on options. Funding came from the Homes and Communities Agency's £80m Places of Change programme, The City of London Corporation, The Santander Foundation and The Fresh Hope Trust.
John, an ex-service man in his 50s, spent over 20 years sleeping rough. He said: "This is the first time in my whole life on the street, or working with the homeless sector, that I have actually seen a hostel that has been designed specifically for people [like me] who live on the streets. I've taken to the place and I think that helps."
Isaura Abbas, St Mungo's manager of The Lodge, and Davina Lilley, of The City of London, jointly accepted the award at a ceremony attended by more than 700 housing sector professionals.
Mike McCall, St Mungo's Executive Director of Operations, said: "We're delighted that the Lodge and our partnership working with City of London colleagues has been recognised with this award. The Lodge is a truly groundbreaking project, offering a different opportunity for longer term rough sleepers to come off the streets and start to rebuild their lives. Our congratulations to all staff involved and all credit to those guests who've played their part in making it a success."
Davina Lilley, Head of Housing Needs at the City of London Corporation, said: "We are so pleased that the partnership has been acknowledge in relation to this unique project. The Lodge is a brilliant example of what can be achieved by joint partnership and it has been a pleasure to be involved. My thanks go to the team at the Lodge and the guests - without them there would be no award."
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