The head of a homelessness charity says a new housing development for Nottingham's rough sleepers has been "saved" after inflation pushed the project to the "edge of viability." Building work has now begun on a block of eight flats in Hyson Green that will offer permanent homes to those on the streets, alongside a package of personalised support.
One former rough sleeper described such projects as being a "sanctuary" for those who have been on the streets. But the steep rise in construction costs meant that the project, being developed by Framework, was financially at risk.
The charity's chief executive says the development has only been able to go ahead due to the fundraising efforts of Nottingham-based DHP Family. DHP runs and operates festivals across the UK, including Splendour and the more recently created Beat the Streets.
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Launched in 2018, Beat the Streets is a one-day festival dedicated to raising funds to support Framework. Since its launch, the festival has raised over £400,000 and for the new Forest Fields project, £89,500 of it has been funded by the festival.
Andrew Redfern, the Chief Executive of Framework, said: "The great thing about the money that's raised by Beat the Streets is that we can use it flexibly according to what the immediate need is. It's essentially saved this project, this project wouldn't have been able to go ahead without that extra bit of funding because it was on the edge of viability.
"It's a great model of how business can get involved and support charitable activities of all kind." The overall development is now estimated to cost £1.4 million, with around £750,000 coming from Framework itself and a similar amount from Homes England.
During an event at the site to mark the official start of building on Friday (June 9), one of those speaking about the importance of the development was former rough sleeper Danny Duvall, 43. After having been on the streets for some months back in 2019, Mr Duvall was placed into accommodation with Framework and is now at one of their properties in Carrington.
He said: "I find it nice to have a roof over my head. It's your own bit of security and sanctuary, that's the way I think of it.
"Having a house or a flat is that little start in life. It's easier to fall backwards than it is to go forward. I thank [Framework] for all the hard work they've done with me because I know times haven't been easy."
The new Framework site will be called Akins House after DHP Family directors, George and Sean Akins. Speaking about why the company got involved in fundraising for Framework, George Akins said: "Just walking around Nottingham seeing the amount of people sleeping rough, it was clearly an issue that wasn't being addressed.
"We spoke to various people and funding had been cut massively, we therefore felt that we could raise some funds. We didn't know what we would be able to raise, but we just did what we could - which is put gigs on and sell beer."
Artists to have performed at Beat the Streets in recent years have included Nottingham's own Jake Bugg and Sleaford Mods. One member of the latter cancelled their planned holiday to perform at the first event in 2018.
As well as the accommodation itself, those living in the new Akins House flats will be helped to develop life skills ranging from cooking to budgeting and be given advice in areas such as employment. Andrew Redfern added: "There's very little you can actually do if you don't have a safe, secure roof over your head.
"There are maybe some other challenges that you face around mental health, alcohol or drugs, but if you literally have nowhere to live, it just becomes so much harder to deal with those issues. It is a starting point, but it's not the only thing by any means and it isn't enough on its own."
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