Routes to Roots is founded on Christian principles and seeks to help all the homeless, newly homed and vulnerable housed adults in Poole regardless of their faith. We provide basic necessities, such as hot food, clothing and sleeping bags. Thanks to the support of Green Pastures, Routes to Roots has been able to offer supported accommodation to three of Poole’s rough sleepers since December 2015. Green Pastures bought a maisonette for the charity, which then undertook repairs and refurbishment to bring the property up to the standards of a HMO.
In 2019 we entered the fourth year of this project. BCP Council granted gold status for housing to our tenants, which is the highest priority rating. Following this, the original three tenants moved out into independent accommodation in August, September and December 2018. Their replacements, rough sleepers, have moved in and one has been able to take on full time employment. We have established a six-month tenancy limit and Poole Council Housing team will work with all future tenants to enable them to move on in a timely manner.
The three clients each have their own bedroom and share bathroom, kitchen and living space. R2R works closely to support them as they take this first step back into society. R2R is conscious that, in order to maintain their accommodation once housed, many people require significant support if they are not to fall back into homelessness because they are unable to cope alone with paying their rent and bills, making benefits claims and job applications or are still struggling with alcohol or drug addictions.
We are grateful to the Council staff for all their support and look forward to continued progress with getting further rough sleepers into Amos House and then on to their own homes.