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Aug 2021
Charity Corner: Giving Harrogate's homeless people dignity again
Lifeline is a Harrogate-based charity that houses people who have been homeless, acting as a crucial stepping stone between sleeping rough and independent living.
It was set up by Carl Good and his wife Georgie in 2012 after they met a homeless man in need of help in Bower Road's tunnel.
They partnered with a Christian social enterprise called Green Pastures that buys properties and leases them to Lifeline. The charity's volunteers also help residents learn new skills and overcome issues that led them to sleep rough in the first place, whether that be an addiction, mental health problems or debt.
They now have five three-bedroom homes across Harrogate, four for men and one for women, and they are looking for a sixth.
80 people have been housed over the past eight years and 60% of its residents have gone on to live independently with paid work.
The Stray Ferret visited one of Lifeline's five properties in Harrogate to meet Mr Good and a former homeless man who is living there. Lifeline prefers to keep the location of their properties private.
Stability
Liam has been living in a Lifeline home in Harrogate for four months after moving from Harrogate Homeless Project's hostel on Bower Road.
He said he enjoys the privacy and freedom it offers.
Liam hopes to stay there for a year while he continues to build his confidence and learn new skills.
He said he particularly enjoys looking after the home which he shares with two other people.
Read more:
- Charity Corner: Two clothes charities provide lifeline for Harrogate families
- Charity Corner: Harrogate charity says ‘it’s all about inclusivity’
County lines
Mr Good says homelessness has increased in Harrogate since the charity was formed due to a range of factors including drugs, housing and the benefits system.
He said hard drugs have become much more prevalent over the past ten years with county lines drug dealers specifically targetting vulnerable people living in Lifeline homes.
He said:
Another issue is many people moving into the homes have a low level of financial resilience. Mr Good had a 20-year career as a financial advisor before setting up Lifeline and said navigating the Universal Credit system is as complicated as inheritance tax or capitals gains tax.
Sky's the limit
Lifeline hopes to give its residents some dignity back after they've experienced often chaotic and traumatic experiences living on the streets.
Mr Good added:
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