The Leeds housing charity is hoping to turn more unoccupied and derelict properties into homes.
Recently recognised as a Big Issue Change Maker of 2023, the charity is today appealing to the citizens of Leeds and beyond to help them raise £650,000 to fund the purchase of 6 empty properties.
These will be transformed into safe, secure, warm and comfortable homes by a small team of staff working alongside trainees and volunteers. The trainees are part of a Latch scheme to support the long term unemployed – providing them with vital construction skills working on the build projects.
Latch works with people in housing need in some of the most deprived areas of City – Chapeltown, Harehills and Burley. The rising cost of living has hit everyone hard but particularly those at the bottom end of the income scale. 2023 is set to be the most challenging yet as people face unaffordable rent increases and soaring high-energy costs. Many are forced to live on the streets or are amongst the ‘hidden homeless’ – sofa surfing or living in tiny, cramped, poor quality accommodation. Around 26,000 people in Leeds have some level of housing need whilst an estimated 4,000 houses* are currently empty, often becoming hubs of antisocial behaviour.
The charity provides much more than just a home. A dedicated team of support workers helps tenants for as long as they need to get back on their feet. This could be extra medical help, help to recover from trauma, support with addiction or getting them back into education and work. Many of those helped by Latch are women and children fleeing domestic violence and the charity also supports resettlement work with Afghan and Syrian refugees.
The Community Share Issue enables ethical investors to make a positive impact by transforming lives whilst also receiving a small return on their investment. The charity’s first share issue, launched in 2021, was a big success, raising funds to transform 6 new homes. Over the past 3 decades, the charity has created a total of 107 homes in the City and helped almost 600 people to have a new start in life. The funds will also help to secure the jobs of Latch staff, who together have an astounding 24 years of experience in delivering home transformations.
James Hartley, CEO of Latch:
“This initiative is a wonderful way for local communities to give back and make a real difference. More properties mean we can change more lives. With these additional homes, we could help six more adults and three more children on top of the 568 adults and children people we’ve already helped over the past 12 years. Renovated houses also have benefits for the wider community, with derelict properties tending to be hubs of antisocial activity. We’re really proud of the long legacy of positive impact we have on both individual lives and those of the communities in which we work.”
Socially responsible investors could earn a return of up to 5% per year and members of local communities can join together as a group to invest. Like any investment, there are risks associated.
To find out more, please visit http://www.ethex.org.uk/invest/latch2023
Cover photograph: Former tenant Maya and child.
