Brummies are opening doors for the homeless

UNIQUE PROJECT USES EMPATHETIC HOSTS TO GET PEOPLE BACK ON FEET

- NAOMI DESOUZA News Reporter

Noham Adane with Joel Webster from Standing Tall, an organisation which helped Noham who was helped into work

PEOPLE in Birmingham are opening up their doors to people at risk of homelessness to help them get back on their feet.

Hosts dotted across the city are making their spare rooms available to the homeless, or those at risk of homelessness, to give them a stable base as they pursue new jobs.

The unique scheme is the product of Standing Tall, a Birmingham-founded organisation that aims to prevent homelessness in a sustainable way by offering work placements with local partners and matching workers with city hosts, who can provide a safe place to stay for reasonable rent.

The kindhearted Brummies are called 'Amici' hosts, which is Italian for friend.

The host receives £500 a month in rent from the Standing Tall guest, who would be in a full-time role.

The scheme is open to “anyone that is experiencing homelessness” and has helped those as young as 18 and as old as 62.

Standing Tall was founded in September 2019 by Christy Acton, who used to run night shelters in Birmingham.