The ‘House to Home' programme supports vulnerable people who have been homeless or who are at risk of repeat homelessness, to sustain tenancies by helping them to make their house a home.

Priority is given to those who are experiencing distress and hardship e.g. homelessness, domestic violence, young people leaving care or those returning into the community. Volunteers are an intrinsic part of the operations of the programme, helping break down barriers as they understand more of the complex nature of homelessness.

The programme has been delivered with support from:

Key objectives of the programme:

• To support tenancy sustainment and improve homes

• To provide good quality re-usable household items to people in need

• Increase understanding and empathy to break down the stigma of homelessness and poverty

• To deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals; by tackling poverty and supporting sustainability by reducing material to landfill helping to protect the environment.

• To deliver impact for local people and the wider community

House to Home Programme can include:

-   Practical Work- each intervention (maximum 2 days) is at the individual household level and includes decorating or light touch repairs. Habitat assesses the property with the support work and client. Clients should be empowered to choose which work is important and supported to choose paint colours etc.

-   Essential Household Items - Habitat ReStores can support individuals with essential household items which enable them to feel more at home. Individuals should be encouraged (where practicable) to visit one of the Habitat ReStores to select identified items. Up to 5 items with a maximum value of £250 can be selected. 

-   ToolBox Basics Training- During the assessment visit the supervisor will provide basic training for clients; simple ways they can look after and maintain their home; changing a lightbulb, where to and how to isolate water, smoke alarm maintenance etc.

-   Volunteering & Training Opportunities- Opportunities for volunteering and OCN NI accredited training are available at ReStores, including for those who are considered ‘hard to reach’ due to disability, unemployment, economically inactive young people, mental ill health, offending histories. Learn more here.

Become a House to Home partner agency

Habitat already partners with a range of support agencies including Depaul, MACS, Womens Aid, NIACRO. In the last year Habitat delivered 67 practical interventions and provided essential furniture support for over 50 additional households. Feedback from clients and partner agencies has helped shape the programme and is very positive about the impact.

Habitat seeks partners to identify and support clients who would benefit most. Habitat Ireland provides all materials needed and has all policies, procedures and insurances required. This includes Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Privacy/GDPR policies and Public Liability and Employee Insurance policies.

Learn more about the role of a partner agency here or email for more information.