The Canopy Housing Project is a community housing project based in inner city Leeds. The charity buys and renovates run down houses to create good homes for people that are homeless. The renovation team of local volunteers and a homeless person work together to learn new skills, build confidence and break down barriers in the local community. At the end of the project the homeless person is given the opportunity to take on the tenancy of the refurbished property.
Over the last ten years, the charity has successfully renovated over 35 properties in two deprived areas of Leeds and worked with over 400 volunteers. The Canopy Housing Project has enabled homeless people to play an active role, returning a sense of ownership and pride back into their lives through their properties. The result has seen more and more homeless people re-joining the local community with fresh skills and renewed confidence for a better, more positive future.
Ashley Rose, Canopy Housing project co-ordinator says, “At Canopy Housing Project homeless people work alongside our diverse volunteer team to turn derelict houses into decent homes. The grant towards our volunteer program is allowing us to bring people together to learn skills, increase confidence, break down barriers and make big improvements to the local neighbourhood”
