NetworkNorwich90010yr
The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

HiATenthHouse750Christian charity's 10th house for homeless in Norwich

The Christian charity Hope into Action is celebrating the opening of its 10th house in Norwich this Christmas in partnership with St Catherine's Church in Mile Cross, enabling them to house in total over 30 previously homeless people across the city.  

This month Christian charity Hope into Action, in partnership with St Catherine’s Church in Mile Cross, has opened its 10th house for homeless people in Norwich.
 
Hope into Action opened its first house in Norwich in 2013, and has grown steadily, partnering with local churches to provide supported housing for 31 previously homeless people across the city.  

Tony Gray, the new Norwich Coordinator for Hope into Action, said: “It has been such a privilege to work with St Catherine’s Church to turn a dream into reality and to welcome our first tenant to this house.  The team from St Catherine’s have worked tirelessly to get the house ready before Christmas and provide such a warm welcome. I am also hugely grateful to the investors who made this possible”.

Rev Martin Hartley, Vicar of St Catherine’s Church opened the house and said “It has been a joy working with Hope into Action with our new house and it gives us an opportunity to put our belief into action and meet an increasing need in our community.  We have appropriately, I think, named the house ‘Joy’”.

Tony Gray has taken over the role of Norwich Coordinator from Kate Doran-Smith, who earlier this year took on a national role, leading Hope into Action’s work with churches.  Kate will be speaking at the Hope into Action Annual Conference in Peterborough on March 22 sharing from her experience of 20 years working with marginalised people and about how churches can effectively support vulnerable people.

The Hope into Action Model
A local church uses its own investment capacity, the investment capacity of church members, or some other source, to buy a house in a reasonable area.  The house is used to house two or three people in a vulnerable situation. The rent/ housing benefit pays a return on the investment.  Hope into Action provide the professional support for referrals, needs assessments, key working, sign-posting, tenancy, benefits, rent collection etc.  The church provides a team of volunteers to support the residents with non-judgemental relationships, mentoring, befriending, practical support and prayer.

If you would like further information about partnering with Hope into Action please contact Tony Gray at Tony.Gray@hopeintoaction.org.uk.

Photo: L-R,  Rev Martin Hartley,  Empowerment worker for the house Rach, Tony Gray, new tenant,  a couple from the St Catherine’s Mile Cross friendship and support group.
 

9285 views
To submit a story or to publicise an event please email: web@networknorwich.co.uk