Elim welcomes MP Claire Young to Forecastle support scheme

Elim Housing recently welcomed Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, to The Forecastle supported housing scheme in South Gloucestershire.

The Forecastle provides 18 self-contained homes and was newly rebuilt and reconfigured in 2018 using national Homelessness Change funding. Elim provides housing related support to residents who are at risk, or have recent experience, of homelessness. Residents are allocated an individual support worker and a personalised support plan.
During the visit, Elim colleagues and a resident of The Forecastle spoke to Claire Young about the challenges residents can face trying to access supported housing, and then later when they are ready to move into suitable permanent accommodation.

Discussions also focused on the need for increased investment in supported and affordable rented housing locally and nationally, and the need for different types of housing to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities to live independently and in accommodation that allows for a good quality of life.

Deputy Chief Executive, Rachel Pinchin said: “We were really pleased to welcome MP Claire Young to The Forecastle. It was a hugely positive visit and we appreciate the time Claire spent speaking with our residents and colleagues.

It was evident that Claire has a genuine interest in supported housing in South Gloucestershire, and we welcomed her genuine consideration of the feedback she received in relation to homelessness and local housing issues.”

Elim’s customers include families and single people living in our properties for rent, young people undertaking apprenticeships or training, residents in our supported housing services and people buying houses that we have developed, among others. We have the same aim for all these relationships: to ensure that the housing and services Elim provide serve as a platform for growth, facilitating all our customers to achieve their aspirations.