Appearing in the ‘Excellence in Delivering Homelessness Services’ category, the Naumann Initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness and unemployment by offering a homeless person a job and a home as well as support with any complex needs or barriers to sustaining their tenancy.

A key part of the success of the Naumann Initiative has been through partnership working with local businesses to create a job vacancy for a homeless person. On successfully gaining employment, Kingdom Housing, or one of the Fife Housing Alliance partners, will also offer that person a tenancy.

Bill Banks, Kingdom Group chief executive, said: “From the moment the idea for the Naumann Initiative was discussed at Kingdom, we knew it had the potential to change lives. I’m proud that Kingdom has been shortlisted in the ‘Excellence in Delivering Homelessness Services’ category at the CIH Scotland Housing Awards, but I’m also equally proud that we’ve been able to have such a huge positive impact on the lives of everyone who has been recruited through the Naumann Initiative to date.”

Bill added: “At Kingdom, our mission is to provide More Than A Home and that means building communities and improving the lives of people within those communities, not just building and managing homes. I’d encourage more local employers, not just other housing associations, to get in touch to find out how they can offer similar life-changing opportunities by being a part of the Naumann Initiative.”

Kingdom Housing Association is now actively seeking to engage with more local businesses who are interested in being part of this life-changing initiative.

Campion Homes, a development partner of Kingdom’s Affordable Housing Programme, recently created a vacancy for a new member of staff through the Naumann Initiative. After being impressed by the calibre of applicants from the pool of homeless individuals they offered jobs to three people.

Dougie Herd, joint managing director of Campion Homes, said “We are delighted to partner with Kingdom Housing Association in the Naumann Initiative that gives people the chance to rebuild their lives and build their own future. Opportunities are vital for everyone in everyday life and we wish the Naumann Initiative every success.”

Kingdom Housing Association also welcomes job applications across the organisation from people who are currently registered homeless or have been in the last twelve months. Candidates who have declared themselves homeless through the application process will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria required for the role, and if successful for the position they will not only be provided employment they will also be provided a home.

Employers who feel they can support the Naumann Initiative can contact Vicky Keith or Lynne Dunn at Kingdom Works, Kingdom Housing Association’s employability project, by calling 01592 631991 or by emailing kingdomworks@kha.scot.