Durham Key Options

One of the region’s leading home providers has reconfirmed its support to anyone who has experienced domestic abuse.

County Durham-based believe housing has become one of the first Accredited Members of the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.  The new membership scheme is the only one of its type in the sector and demonstrates the focus believe housing has on supporting customers in even the most difficult of circumstances.

Accredited Membership of DAHA is the highest level of commitment to tackling domestic abuse that a housing association can achieve.

believe housing was officially recognised by DAHA for its work with domestic abuse victims two years ago.  The ‘passion and drive of staff’ at believe housing to help victims of domestic abuse together with ‘top notch’ training was praised following a two-day audit.

The inspection included talking to a survivor of domestic abuse who had received support as well as scenario-based work with a range of frontline staff and a review of policies and procedures.  The accreditation process is designed to ensure that employees across the organisation have a deep understanding of domestic abuse and has robust processes in place to identify and support anyone who needs help and advice.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of social group, class, age, race, disability or sexuality of the individuals involved.  It is a pattern of behaviour used by abusers to establish and maintain power and control over another person.

Evidence suggests that people who experience domestic abuse can turn to as many as five different agencies before they find appropriate help.

Housing associations are ideally placed to spot and respond to domestic abuse as they are in contact with their customers on a daily basis.  Trained staff are able to identify the signs of a potentially abusive relationship and offer advice and support to allow the victim to remain in their home, or to move to another property if that is the most appropriate solution for them.

Safer Neighbourhoods Manager at believe housing, Karen Gardner, said: “We want to ensure that any customer who comes to us is given the best support possible.  By becoming Accredited Members of this initiative, we will ensure that we always have access to the latest training and best practice to provide that high-quality support.

“During the coronavirus pandemic there has been a rise nationally in concerns about domestic abuse, so becoming accredited members now is doubly important.”

More than 100 new affordable homes have been completed in one east Durham town after investment by a multi-award-winning housing association.

Three brownfield sites in Peterlee have been transformed by County Durham-based believe housing to create 108 new homes.  A mix of family houses and bungalows have been constructed in Robson Avenue, Tamar Close and Teign Close.

The new Peterlee homes are currently welcoming their first families after a £17m investment.  They are a key part of believe housing’s £70m, 700 home construction programme that has won a string of awards.

In Robson Avenue, the site of the old Eden Community Primary School, vacant since 2008, has seen 48 two and three-bedroom houses plus 19 bungalows built. The houses included 25 available through the government backed ‘Rent to Buy’ scheme. 

The Robson Avenue project was conceived by Vistry Partnerships North East. Using some of its own Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) grant - secured from Homes England - the regeneration and housing specialist identified the site, developed the design concept and led the planning process to unlock the potential of the unused plot. It then constructed the homes in partnership with believe housing.     

A short distance away in neighbouring Tamar Close and Teign Close, 29 three-bed family houses have been built alongside 10 two-bed and a pair of three-bed bungalows. Construction has been carried out by north east-based contractor Tolent.

believe housing Development Delivery Manager, Rebecca Marshall, said: “Peterlee is one of the areas with strongest demand for affordable homes in the north east. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in the area and focused a significant proportion of our construction programme on Peterlee.

“We’re really proud that we’ve been able to deliver these new homes on brownfield sites that have been easy to integrate into the community, while still helping to meet demand. These new homes are going to provide dozens of families with secure and affordable housing for decades to come.”

Andrew Rennie, Development Director with Vistry Partnerships North East, added: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with believe housing and to have been able to use our expertise, experience and grant funding to identify and kick start viable projects, which the region’s housing providers to meet housing need.”

Chris Price, regional director for Tolent, said: "I'm very proud of the team who have delivered an outstanding, high quality project that we know is going to make a huge difference to the local community here in Peterlee. It was great working with the believe housing team, and we look forward to working with them again soon."