Creating communities: tackling homelessness Latest developments

Each issue, we shine a light on new homes being built in the borough. This time: Windsor Street

Stacey Street opened last summer to get homeless people in Islington off the street and back on track. Service manager Philip Kayongo tells us how the facility is changing lives

“When people arrive at Stacey Street, the first thing we do is offer them a key worker – a member of staff for them to talk to,” explains Philip. Key workers support residents with day-today things like registering with a GP and engaging with support agencies. “We can also link them with the Department for Work and Pensions or Better Lives’ addiction support, and we have navigators who can accompany people to appointments.”

Each resident has their own bedroom and access to homely communal spaces to cook and relax in. There’s plenty to get involved in, too. “We have a gardening club; a brunch club, where residents cook for each other; and instruments to play,” Philip continues. “We go on trips as well – to the zoo, museums – and, most importantly, we offer training. That could be CITB training, to get into construction, photography, or computer classes. There are lots of opportunities, which is vital.”

Sometimes clients have been dealing with challenges for a long time before being referred to Stacey Street. “We have one resident who had been evicted everywhere they’d gone,” Philip continues. “They had multiple health needs and kept going to hospital. Since coming to Stacey Street, they have managed to stabilise and are on the list to move into more permanent accommodation.”

That’s the ultimate aim: to get people to a place where they no longer need Stacey Street.

It’s a much-needed service: 19 rough sleepers were found on the last street count. But with facilities like Stacey Street, the council is able to move people off the street and into safe accommodation. “These people often don’t have voices, so they need someone to advocate for them,” says Philip. “It’s a crucial service.”

If you’re worried about becoming homeless, call 020 7527 6371 email Advice. Housing@islington.gov. uk or complete a referral form: islington.gov.uk/ homelessness

A piece of artwork by Jack Haslam, titled The Future Looks Fine (Good Weather Expected), has been unveiled on the hoardings around the much-needed supported accommodation being built on Windsor Street. It was commissioned by Islington Council, with support from contractors Rooff Ltd.

The artwork celebrates the 11 new homes, which will provide supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities, helping them to live independently.

Jack is a promising neurodiverse artist and a client of the Islington Learning Disability Partnership.

His work features in many of their campaigns and he has won prizes for his etchings and paintings at The Mall Gallery and the RWS Bankside Gallery. He has been nominated for Wildlife Artist of The Year several times.

For more info about housing developments, visit: islington.gov.uk/ HousingDevelopment