Eight safe properties that will allow survivors of domestic abuse to make a fresh start in their own homes have been bought in ambitious plans by Nottingham charity Juno Women’s Aid.
The two and three-bedroom homes, across the city and the county, are currently being refurbished and will soon be occupied by women and their children so they can set down roots in new communities. These are the first to be bought in the organisation’s overall plan to secure 28 homes.
Juno, the city’s largest domestic abuse organisation, has bought the properties after receiving a ‘life-changing’ £3m of social investment, as it strives to change the way that families are housed after fleeing abusive relationships.
Yasmin Rehman, Juno CEO, said: “Being able to move survivors and their families from refuges and into properties we own is so important in helping them to build new lives, develop safe social networks, find jobs or training courses and see their children flourish at school or college.
“This is a dream come true for us to move away from an emergency, sticking plaster approach. We will continue to support these families during their tenancies and look forward to helping many more in the future as part of our longer-term strategy.”
The social investment loan of £3,075,000 was given by Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC), which provides finance for ‘extraordinary’ charities and social enterprises.
Of the first tranche, four properties fall within the city council boundary and a further four are in south Nottinghamshire. The properties are being renovated, redecorated and fitted with new carpets, kitchens and bathrooms where necessary and the first tenants will be able to move in imminently.
A further two properties will be used for the charity’s Serenity scheme which provides emergency refuge accommodation, while the others will provide tenancies for typically up to two years. Families will have access to bespoke specialist tenancy and domestic abuse support to help overcome the trauma they have experienced.
While giving Juno greater control over the quality and location of its properties, it is estimated the project will support around 110 women and 220 children during the loan term.
“Our refuges are meant to be temporary crisis accommodation to look after women and children for six months to a year,” said Yasmin. “But many often stay longer than that because of the cost of living crisis and the difficulty in finding homes that are safe, secure and affordable.
“When they are in a refuge, women can struggle to find or stay in work or access education because it is not safe to disclose where they live, or they might not want to explain their situation – they don’t want to be labelled. This is just a point in their life – it doesn’t define them.
“It’s so important that they can move on into living independently, make plans for the future, and perhaps save some money so they can eventually find their own place in an area where they have built a connection on their own terms.”
In its latest figures, in 2023-24, Juno worked with 2,980 women, 501 children and young people, fostered 84 pets, and received more than 16,000 calls on its helpline. At any one time, it supports 500-600 women and children in Nottingham and south Nottinghamshire.
The £3m that Juno has received was distributed by SASC’s Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II). It is SASC’s first ‘midwife’ deal which pairs the charity with existing partners Winner Trading Ltd, the registered provider of social housing based at Preston Road Women’s Centre in Hull, which works to help build capacity in UK women’s organisations.
“Preston Road Women’s Centre has been doing this for several years and now owns or manages nearly 200 properties,” said Yasmin. “They have been incredibly supportive, and we have welcomed their guidance and advice about the property market and the whole process.”
Mark Bickford, CEO of SASC, said: “We are delighted that with investment from our Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II), Juno Women’s Aid has purchased eight two and three-bedroom properties that will become safe homes for domestic abuse survivors in Nottingham. This is also a step towards the charity’s goal of purchasing 28 safe homes.
“Such housing is critical, providing not only immediate safety but also to provide a foundation for survivors to rebuild their lives. Domestic abuse is a pressing issue and providing access to this kind of accommodation is life-changing. At SASC, we are committed to investing in charities like Juno Women’s Aid, where their work profoundly improves the lives of vulnerable individuals and their families.”
