SCOTTISH social enterprise, Homes for Good, will take to the stage on the opening day of this year’s International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) in Barcelona, to share their knowledge of the UK social and private housing sectors.
Homes For Good is a letting agency with a difference buying neglected homes and renovating them to a high standard, then letting them to people on low incomes.
With an audience of over 250 individuals from as many as 35 different countries around the world registered to attend the session, Homes for Good will look to inspire others to follow their lead as they tell the story of how the unique social business has grown to help hundreds of people on low incomes or at immediate risk of homelessness to live somewhere which is high quality and affordable to them.
Since August 2014 they have raised £20m in social investment, created 314 homes and expect to increase this to over 500 in the next 2-3 years. One resident said ‘…we are the luckiest private tenants in Scotland. Everyone’s lovely.
It’s the whole attitude of being interested in your tenants as people not just as money machines.
I couldn’t actually believe the work that was done specifically for us in this flat, it was unbelievable that when we said we weren’t happy in Carntyne we were earmarked for this property, and we couldn’t believe the en-suite which was specifically for my son’s needs. “
Joining Homes for Good on stage to discuss ‘Affordable Housing and Homelessness Best Practice’ will be other like-minded organisations including Un-Habitat, Barcelona City Council and Barcelona-based Sostre Civic, the SIPHO municipal programme, and Hàbitat3.
The session taking place on the 7th of June and co-organised by World Habitat, will encourage the spread of innovative housing practice around the world and to exchange and transfer knowledge and experience. World Habitat Deputy Chief Executive, Louise Winterburn said ‘At a time when housing problems seem to be increasing, ISHF provides an important opportunity to bring together world-leading housing experts working on similar challenges and talk about what is working in terms of creating safe, secure and affordable housing. Homes for Good is now an inspiration in Europe and providing leadership for social enterprises everywhere.’
Homes for Good, Founder, Susan Aktemel said ‘I am truly delighted to be in Barcelona at the International Social Housing Festival with our team. This year is Homes for Good 10thbirthday and being able to share our journey with like-minded colleagues from around the world and be presented with the prestigious World Habitat Gold Award is an unbelievable honour. ‘
To conclude the session, World Habitat and Un-Habitat, will present Homes for Good with their 2023 Gold World Habitat Award.
Find out more about Homes for Good and how they won this prestigious award.
