Business Against Homelessness initiative gives £3k boost to homeless charity

Primary Homes & Lettings have answered the call to prevent homelessness in Swindon by donating £3,500 to Threshold Housing Link.

Primary Homes & Lettings has been working alongside homeless charity Threshold Housing Link as part of a 'Business Against Homelessness' initiative.

Last year the letting agency pledged to donate 10% of its house sales commission to Threshold Housing Link in a bid to support the charity's outreach programme. Thanks to Primary Homes & Lettings’ recent donation, the charity has received a financial boost of £3,500.

Dean Wilde, Business Partner of Primary Homes and Lettings said: “Threshold Housing Link are a fantastic local charity that provides critical human services to those in desperate need. We have been working closely with Threshold and have been thoroughly impressed with the work that this local charity makes to improve the lives of the town’s homeless. We are very pleased to partner with them to support the impact Threshold’s Outreach Team make. We know that the money we donate makes direct social impact to those that really need it.

“This is part of our commitment to contributing some of our profits back into the community in which we live and work. Personalisation is key to us – just as we personalise our service to our letting’s customers, we know the Outreach Team personalise their work around those they directly support. We know that personalisation and care is the key to positive transformation."

Michael Keenan, Threshold’s Business Manager, added: “Primary Homes and Lettings are true community champions, as a ‘Business Against Homelessness’ they demonstrate outstanding leadership, care and compassion. Their support is most gratefully received by our charity at a time of ever-increasing need.

"Their generous donation enables us to facilitate positive change for our town’s homeless, alleviate the social exclusion they frequently suffer and actively assist recovery from its effects”.

The 'Business Against Homelessness' initiative has also received backing from graphic design company Gel Studios, and IT provider Excalibur Communications. The charity is keen to eliminate the social barriers of rough sleeping and encourage other local companies to back their cause.

Steve Chamberlain, Threshold Homeless Outreach Worker, said: “Right now in these icy conditions, it is one of the most difficult and challenging times of the year. We serve, support and assist currently 50+ homeless individuals that are not only sleeping rough on the streets in our town, but an increasing number of people that are categorised as either ‘sofa surfing’ or ‘hidden homeless’. This includes people who become homeless but find a temporary solution by staying with family members or friends, living in squats or other insecure accommodation.

"At the moment we have seen a stark rise in ‘hidden homeless’. We find that a great many of these individuals are vulnerable and disadvantaged local people that have simply hit upon hard times”.