Portsmouth Press releases

Property transformed in a week to protect homeless from coronavirus

VIVID worked with local support provider Two Saints around the clock to turn around a block of flats in Fareham to provide urgent accommodation for homeless people at risk to coronavirus.

Following the government’s guidelines, which calls for local authorities to support the homeless and vulnerable during these difficult times, the two organisations have been working closely with Fareham Borough Council to provide furnished and full equipped accommodation to support homeless people in the area to self-isolate and stay safe.

The block of flats became vacant at the beginning of the month, and within a week the our repairs team had completed any necessary repair and safety works (supported by local contractors Pure Construction, 3-pin electrical and Totally Wheelie Clean) and Two Saints had furnished and fully equipped the flats, enabling the council to get people off the streets and into a safe home.

Two people moved into their flats last week, and Two Saints are working with several other known homeless people in the local area to move into the other three flats.

Jonathan Cowie, Chief Operating Officer at VIVID said: “During these unprecedented times, we’re focusing on supporting the most vulnerable in our local communities. We were really pleased to be able to work with our local partners to turn these flats round so quickly, during a time when we’re all facing so many challenges, and provide a secure place where some of the area’s homeless people can self-isolate and stay safe from coronavirus.”

Steve Benson, the chief executive of Two Saints added, “This is another example of great outcomes being delivered through the partnership between Two Saints and VIVID. Other similar work involving both organisations is being carried out across Hampshire and I’d like to pay tribute to the staff of both organisations and at Fareham Borough Council for working so hard to make this all happen so quickly in incredibly difficult circumstances”.