Referrals are accepted from any agency in Leeds that are supporting people who meet our criteria:
Individuals also need to meet the HARM criteria (experience Homelessness, Addiction (substance and/or alcohol use), Re-offending or at risk of re-offending, Mental ill health that is current and acute)
Referral forms can be sent directly to the Team Leader: Gemma Humphries
Housing Navigators work across Leeds with individuals that have experienced homelessness or housing issues to support them into accommodation and help them to sustain their tenancy. The service is focused on rough sleepers with additional complex needs, and those at risk of rough sleeping, access the support they need to gain more secure and safe accommodation.
We work in a person-centered way to ensure that we build strong relationships with the people we support. We understand that building trust with a professional may take a while and we understand that we need to persevere with trying to engage people on a regular basis. We appreciate that it can be the little things that can go a long way with building rapport with someone and it being a starting point for a conversation.
Working closely in partnership with other services we support people to access services and interventions they need to build their resilience, gain confidence and acquire the personal and social assets they need to move forward. Housing Navigators are a key component of the Safer Leeds Street Support team. Partnership working with other services enables us to achieve positive outcomes for the people we support.
Ben was supported by Kate, a Barca Housing Navigator. They met when he was homeless, sleeping in empty properties and his mum's shed. In this video, Ben shares his story and the journey he has taken to have his own property and be mentally and financially stable.
Read a transcript for Ben's Story.
The service is continuously looking to develop and improve the support we provide.
Within the Housing Navigators team there are a number of Navigators who have a specialist area of knowledge or expertise and act as our Service Champions.
The role of the Service Champion is to offer advice and suggestions to other members of the team. The Service Champions are expected to share information with the team, regarding any training or workshops they have attended. This can be by email, at team meetings, or in one to one chats with colleagues.
The Service Champions may also offer to provide short training/information sessions to the team. Some of the Champion areas within the team are:
In this role Housing Navigators need to work in a proactive way and be able to think creatively to reduce any barriers that people may face.
As a team we understand and care about the needs of the individuals we work with. Housing Navigators ensure that they work in a trauma informed approach which allows us to understand the impact that trauma may have on an individual and how this will impact on their journey to recovery.
The team was previously known as Rapid Rehousing Pathway Navigators but in 2021 the service became known as Housing Navigators.
We currently have 12 Navigators under three different funding streams here at Barca-Leeds, as well as three Engage Housing Navigators.
For more information on the project please email Gemma Humphries, Team Leader.
Related Impact and Innovation
Ben shares his story of being homeless to finding support and getting settled into his home
