Housing Matters – Advice and Signposting for East Brighton

Home is everything. 

A home is more than just a place to live, it’s the foundation of our wellbeing. While a safe, stable, and suitable home can greatly enhance quality of life, the reality for many households, both locally and nationally, is far different. 

Too many households are stuck in homes that don’t meet their needs, and the consequences are being felt across entire communities. 

For decades, things like years of selling off social housing, a subsequent lack of social housing stock, unaffordable rental properties, and ineffective policies have led to the current housing crisis. 

For those in temporary housing, private rented, and social housing, challenges such as disrepair, damp, mould, overcrowding, unsafe conditions, antisocial behaviour, and inaccessibility can have devastating effects. These housing issues are often closely linked to physical and mental health support needs and a host of health concerns, social isolation, poor school attendance and performance, and a diminished sense of belonging and community. 

In response to local housing challenges, the Housing Matters initiative was launched last year. Born out of community conversations and joined-up research with housing advocates and residents, this project addresses the critical need for housing advice and signposting in East and North Brighton.  

Residents highlighted their struggles to navigate available support due to barriers such as difficulty communicating with housing teams, low confidence, and a lack of trust in the system, and East Brighton Trust listened.  

Housing Matters is the innovation of Beki from East Brighton Trust and Hannah from Lawstop Solicitors who worked together previously, and formed this fresh partnership with a shared goal: bringing housing advice sessions directly to communities in the east and north.  

Housing Matters aims to bridge the gaps, ensuring residents have access to the guidance they need, and empowering them to seek the right support.   

Identifying venues for the Housing Matters initiative was seamless, thanks to Lacie at The Crew Club and Jane at St George’s Hall, both deeply committed to ensuring their communities received the support they needed. 

In January and February, a pilot program was launched, conducting four sessions at Moulsecoomb Community Market on Wednesdays and the Crew Club on Tuesday mornings. The feedback from residents was overwhelmingly positive, affirming the importance of the initiative. 

Due to capacity constraints, only one venue was chosen long-term, but seven households who were listened to at Moulsecoomb Community Market received valuable advice, signposting, and guidance.  

The depth and complexity of the housing challenges discussed during sessions at the Crew Club made it clear that continuing these sessions on a three-weekly basis would have a significantly positive impact. 

So far, almost 20 households who are living in unsuitable and unsafe housing conditions in East Brighton have received advice and guidance, emphasising the pressing need for support in these communities.  

Crew Club manager Lacie’s unwavering dedication to the project has been an incredible asset, helping Housing Matters to reach and assist families who may otherwise have struggled to find the help they need. 

Lacie has been an incredible asset to the project and shared her experience: “It’s a pleasure to work with Beki and Hannah; I was in a housing crisis and made homeless, and didn’t feel anyone would listen or understand my concerns, but Beki helped me when I was in need of help, and now I love supporting others in the same situation I was.” 

Other feedback includes “I finally felt listened to, my housing circumstances were affecting my mental health, and Beki was very honest and gave me guidance.” 

“It’s great to have someone to talk to in person. The Crew Club and Beki and Hannah are great – they listen to what the community needs.” 

With such a positive response from both communities, more conversations have led to the planning of a dedicated day of Housing Matters training for community leaders, focused on signposting and basic housing legislation to support their communities.  

Speaking about the partnership, Hannah shared her enthusiasm: “It has been great to partner with East Brighton Trust to get a better understanding of the needs of those in East and North Brighton and what we can do to help. Getting out into the community has been incredibly beneficial; people trust the organisations we are working with, which helps to build trust with us. It’s also a vital lifeline for those who may not be able to get to central Brighton or Hove to access other support.” 

In the spirit of collaboration, Beki and Hannah met with Dr. Chloe Anthony, Assistant Professor in Law, University of Sussex Law School to explore a partnership between Housing Matters and housing law students at the University of Sussex, to discuss a future initiative that aims to provide additional advice and signposting to communities. 

As a starting point, Beki and Hannah were invited to participate in a seminar with the students last week, speaking about housing challenges in East Brighton.  

They also addressed questions about the partnership and shed light on the broader East Brighton and city-wide housing issues. 

Chloe Anthony said: “It was very beneficial for the students at Sussex Law School’s Housing Law Clinic to hear about the long standing collaboration between Beki and Hannah, and insights into housing justice in Brighton. I hope we can work more together in the future.” 

East Brighton Trust and Lawstop plan to keep building on the Housing Matters foundations, encouraging further housing advice and support locally, because everyone deserves a safe, stable and suitable place to live.