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East of England charity supports over 16,000 people in record-breaking year tackling homelessness

Hopestead team

The Hopestead team, from left, Chris Elliott, Kelsey Lund, Bethan Bishop and Lucy Parish.


More than 16,000 people have benefited from Hopestead's efforts to address homelessness, in a record-breaking year for the Norwich-based charity.

Hopestead has focused on tackling "hidden homelessness", helping families move from hotel rooms and shared accommodation into proper homes owned by housing provider Flagship across the east of England.

The charity has just released its impact report for the period April 2024-March 2025, showing it has provided over £1.1 million worth of support through its Hope at Home programme, helping families moving out of temporary accommodation.

Lucy Parish, Director of Operations at Hopestead, said she was proud the charity was supporting more people each year.

Ms Parish said: "I feel incredibly lucky to be part of an organisation that's changing the conversation around homelessness and enabling people to thrive. As we look ahead, I'm more certain than ever that our small team can keep making a big difference."

Ms Parish said that while rough sleeping was the most visible sign of homelessness, there was a far greater number of people facing "hidden homelessness". This includes people constantly moving between friends' homes, families living in single rooms of shared houses, or individuals trying to rebuild their lives with no furniture or belongings. Domestic abuse remains the most common reason for homelessness among those supported, affecting 27% of people helped.

Hopestead's Hope at Home programme won Homelessness Project of the Year at the UK Housing Awards in November 2024. The programme provides furniture, white goods, flooring and other essentials, but crucially lets people choose items themselves to build pride and ownership in their new homes. In 2024-25 it supported 670 people, including 262 children.


This year has reminded us what's possible when people come together with purpose.

Lucy Parish


Results show 97% of people sustained their tenancies, with none evicted. Three-quarters said they had reduced risk of homelessness, whilst 82% said they would have gone without or into debt without Hopestead's support.

Through its Hope Funds programme, Hopestead also distributed £166,000 in grants to 17 local charities, supporting over 15,000 people with services from emergency accommodation to counselling and debt advice.

The charity's Building Hope project has created innovative modular homes in Ipswich, with residents moving on to promotions and starting their own businesses. A new 12-home project in Norwich is planned for 2025.

Ms Parish said: "This year has reminded us what's possible when people come together with purpose. We've seen real progress, but we also know the challenge isn't getting any smaller. That's why we're stepping up with fresh ideas and renewed energy."

In March, Hopestead has launched a 12-0 campaign in Norwich, highlighting that homelessness in England could fill the city's football stadium 12 times over. The charity plans to roll the campaign out nationally. while expanding its 'Voice of Hope' initiative to influence policy and challenge perceptions of homelessness.

Since its founding in 2020, Hopestead has been funded by Flagship, which recently merged with fellow housing provider Bromford to become Bromford Flagship.