E v e r y o n e
d e s e r v e s
a p l a c e t o
c a l l h o m e
Finding new ways of funding and building homelessness accommodation
The ‘front door’ difference
Through Building Hope, we’re working with fellow charities and other partners to directly increase the amount of accommodation for people who have experienced homelessness.
Our first build was Hopestead Place, a groundbreaking project in Ipswich. This consists of two modular homes, which provide a temporary but stable environment for people transitioning out of homelessness. The homes each have a kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, and outdoor space, giving residents a dignified place to rebuild their lives.
It makes a huge difference to have this space. It’s just for the short term, but it’s a place I can call home.
Hopestead Place resident
Hopestead Place shows how providing secure, well-designed spaces can help people regain their independence and confidence. Lucy Parish, Hopestead’s Director of Operations, sums it up: "It’s not just about providing shelter – it’s about offering a fresh start and a foundation for people to move forward and achieve their goals".
Just months after it opened, we were thrilled when Hopestead Place was named winner of a Housing Digital Award for the use of emerging technology in housebuilding. But we’re not stopping there. We want to replicate its success with other innovative projects. Through Building Hope, Hopestead is redefining how homelessness is addressed - building homes, lives, and brighter futures.
MODULAR HOMES BUILT
Hopestead funded and furnished the homes, which were built by Cambridgeshire-based New Meaning Foundation. They are owned and operated by Emmaus Suffolk, which supports people experiencing homelessness and isolation. It’s amazing to see the difference these three charities have made by working together! Human rights campaigner Sir Terry Waite officially opened Hopestead Place on World Homelessness Day 2023.
The first tenant stayed for six months, and then she was promoted at work. With an increased salary she was able to start renting privately, and now she’s setting up her own business. Without having that stability and dignity of her own front door, she may not have been able to take those steps.
Claire Staddon, CEO of Emmaus Suffolk
More than 16,000 people have benefited from Hopestead’s efforts to address homelessness, in a record-breaking year for the Norwich-based charity.
Read more about 'East of England charity supports over 16,000 people in record-breaking year tackling homelessness '
An innovative modular home project designed to help people build new lives following homelessness have been hailed as a success, one year following its opening.
Read more about 'Modular homes project celebrates first year of success'
Hopestead has won the ‘Best Use of an Emerging Technology in Housebuilding’ award at the Housing Digital Awards, which took place last night in Birmingham.
Read more about 'Hopestead win Housing Digital Innovation Award for project with Emmaus Suffolk and New Meaning Foundation'
We’re celebrating the first project completed under our Building Hope initiative, funding the delivery of Hopestead Place in Ipswich.
Read more about 'See the completion of Hopestead’s first Building Hope project'
