Tenancies can be sustained and sustaining tenancies gives substantial benefits for communities was the key message on the launch of a CIH Action plan on Housing and Social Enterprise.

Alison Sommerville programme manager for Fab Pad highlighted how their projects use of the arts as a catalyst for change. Allison informed delegates that the project had dramatically enhanced the sustainability of tenancies with 90% of all tenancies now being sustainable and some of Glasgow reporting tenancy sustainment rates running at 100%.

In an assessment of the social returns on investment in North Ayrshire, it has been shown that for every £1 invested a return of £8.38 has been accrued by the community. This demonstrates quite clearly the importance of Wider Role and the need for the Government to clarify the uncertainty around the future of this funding.

Pippa Robbie described the furniture project work that Instant Neighbour is involved with in the North East. This is also funded through Wider Role from Communities Scotland. Pippa claimed that the project is vital for many families in the North East because although Aberdeen is claimed to be the Energy Capital of Europe it is “shocking” that 1 in 10 live in poverty.

Pippa referred to the 2002 Homelessness Task Force which reported that an unfurnished tenancy is often not enough to support a tenancy and is likely to lead to tenancy breakdown. It is for this reason Pippa feels that furniture projects play an important role not only in sustaining tenancies but in sustaining life.