Hobson & Porter, Innovation based on tradition

A pioneering new housing scheme, which opened on Monday 16 July, has put Hull at the forefront of a new approach to providing housing and support for homeless people who have had drugs and mental health problems and are now trying to permanently kick their addiction.

The Clearview project, in the Bransholme area of the City, is run by housing association ECHG Housing & Support. It is a partnership between ECHG, Hull City Council, Hull Supporting People, Hull City Safe and the Housing Corporation.

"Clearview gets top scores for its success at helping homeless people turn their lives around so they can deal with their addictions," said ECHG's regional Performance Manager, John Glenton. "What's more, it achieves all this in a cost effective way that focuses on long-term solutions and keeping them drug-free."

Hull City Council's Head of Community Care Services, Angela Dunn, said: "Somewhere to live and support to help living in the community is a basic need for all including people who have problems associated with drug misuse. The Hull Supporting People programme welcomes the opening of this service which builds on the success of other schemes for housing related support and our partnership with ECHG."

Clearview provides 24-hour, professional support for fourteen men and women who are all committed to becoming and staying free of drugs. The need for Clearview was first identified during the development of Hull's homelessness strategy and this is backed up by the first residents who have already moved in.

Andy, a Clearview resident said: "I'd had a life of constant drinking, from the moment I woke up so what Clearview's given me is a new start. Not a new chapter but a whole new book! Only with Clearview's help would this be possible. In the future I want to get back to work and maybe help others not so fortunate as me. Also, I'd love to have a girlfriend!"

Clearview is based on the very successful blueprint developed by ECHG's O-Zone project, which has been running in Hull for five years. The O-Zone not only delivers extremely high success rates with its clients, but since it opened its doors the local neighbourhood has actually seen a decline in anti-social behaviour due to the project's 24-hour staffing and community focus.