Two housing projects to celebrate

The Quaker Housing Trust celebrates two projects

The Quaker Housing Trust (QHT) is celebrating two projects in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

In 2014 QHT made a capital costs grant of £12,000, with a further grant of £17,226 in 2016, so local non-profit organisation Home-Start could refurbish an ex-bed and breakfast property in Tamworth.

The aim was to extend the supported housing Home-Start could offer to local parents under twenty-five and their children.

It was the largest donation the scheme received, and it made the difference to Home-Start’s ability to complete the project.

Cutting the ribbon to open the building, Jeffery Smith, QHT trustee in touch’, said: ‘QHT does not have large amounts of money, just what individual Quakers have given. We like “small is beautiful” projects, projects which may not be large but which do things – projects which respond to a crying need, projects which enlist local enthusiasm.’

QHT is also supporting West Kent Quakers in the conversion of Tunbridge Wells Meeting House into nine studio flats. QHT became involved in 2011, when it gave a feasibility grant of £3,600 to investigate how to move forward with the idea.

This was followed up with a £25,000 grant in 2015 to fund the professional fees for the project to ensure housing will be available for vulnerable local people.

Advice from QHT also meant West Kent Quakers were able to establish a partnership with NGO Habitat for Humanity, West Kent YMCA and development partner Stepping Stone to take the scheme forward to provide accommodation for young people.

Paula Harvey, QHT secretary, said that QHT will use the project development to share good practice and inspire other Meetings to find ways to use their premises for social housing.

When the scheme is complete the residents will have a communal lounge and cooking facilities. A large room at the front of the Meeting house on the first floor will become the new Meeting room for Tunbridge Wells Quakers.

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