Scheme to tackle homelessness highly commended
A life-changing scheme to help give homeless young people in Wychavon and Malvern Hills hope for the future has been highly commended at a national awards ceremony.
Developing skills for independent living is the focus of the initiative, which was shortlisted in the Innovation in Housing category for the Municipal Journal’s Achievement Awards 2025.
Led by Malvern Hills and Wychavon’s housing team, the scheme is a response to a dramatic increase in the number of vulnerable young people presenting themselves as homeless.
Judges at the London-held awards ceremony described both councils’ entry as ‘demonstrating the impact local authorities can have on young people’s lives through sustainable, supported housing and partnership working.”
Cllr Rick Deller, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member responsible for Housing, Regulatory and Customer services: “We are delighted that the housing team has won national recognition for this life-changing work.
“Thanks to our new approach we’re breaking the cycle of homelessness by focusing on the holistic needs of individuals rather than just processing them against housing legislation.
“We’re proud, with the support of our partners, to be positively changing lives and I’m delighted judges have recognised the difference our work is making.”
Cllr Deller thanked Director of Communities and Housing Jen Taylor and Head of Housing Services Laura Marshall for their work in taking the initiative forward.
Cllr Jennie Watkins, Malvern Hills District Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Housing, said: “The housing team have worked incredibly hard to make an impact on the issues surrounding homelessness and to be shortlisted for this award and then highly commended is both impressive and well-deserved.”
As part of the initiative, staff have undergone specialist Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) training to better understand and support those in need of a home.
Wychavon also created its first supported youth homeless scheme in Evesham in 2021 in partnership with homeless charity St Basils. Aimed at young people aged 18 to 25, support is offered to prepare them for living on their own including with budgeting, independent living, education and employment.
Building on the learning from the scheme, Wychavon converted five empty properties, in the north of the district, into temporary accommodation aimed for people aged over 25. Wraparound support is also offered to help people sustain their tenancy. In Malvern,14 bed spaces with on-site support for young people at risk of homelessness have also been secured.
The new approach is already paying off with a fall in rough sleeper numbers across both districts and 30 young people helped by the youth homeless support scheme in Evesham. Plans are in the pipeline to create a similar scheme in Droitwich Spa.