Nicki Morgan

The chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust, Andy Winter, has written to Brighton and Hove Members of Parliament, Peter Kyle, Caroline Lucas and Lloyd Russell-Moyle, asking them to urge Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment, to include homeless people in the priority groups for those to receive the Covid vaccine, together with frontline workers who support them. In his letter to the Members of Parliament, Andy Winter said: People with a history of homelessness are old before their time. They have levels of frailty – including unintentional weight loss, feelings of exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed and … Read more

BHT is pleased to be part of Govia Thameslink Railways’ Great Sock Appeal again this year, one of six charity partners working with rough sleepers to provide an everyday basic that makes a huge difference. Like many things this year the appeal has gone virtual, with people being asked to donate online with the aim of raising £8,344 to purchase 4,172 pairs of socks to match the 2019 total. A pair of socks may seem like a small item, but clean, fresh socks are essential for helping keep feet dry and warm, especially in winter weather. Click here to find … Read more

BHT’s latest annual report is available now. This year’s review has a focus on the different ways that BHT and our clients have adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the creative ways we have found to maximise the support we can offer vulnerable people across Sussex. We also celebrate this year’s very exciting news of the merger between BHT and Sussex Oakleaf! As usual you can hear from those who have been helped by BHT, and find out more about our impact, services, finances and fundraising. Download your copy of the annual review here.

There are lots of ways you can get involved in fundraising with us this Christmas, helping us to support vulnerable people across Sussex. With many events cancelled due to Covid-19, we need your support this year more than ever – read on to see how you can get involved! Take part in our Virtual Christmas Collections Like everything in 2020, our annual Christmas street collection has gone online! While we are disappointed that we cannot all meet to shake a tin together this year, we have found a way to bring our supporters together virtually to raise much-needed funds, and … Read more

BHT has launched its 2020 Christmas appeal with a video asking people to help us “end homelessness before it begins”, highlighting the crucial role that advice plays in enabling people to keep their homes. BHT’s advice centres in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings last year prevented 927 households from becoming homeless. Our appeal video was generously donated by award-winning local company Big Egg Films. As well as preventing people from becoming homeless by providing timely professional advice, BHT provides practical support to rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove through its resource centre First Base. First Base has remained open throughout the … Read more

In keeping with its mission to use football for social good, Lewes FC has launched its own #JoinLewes Christmas campaign. For everyone buying a single ownership share between now and the end of December 2020, the club will donate 20% of the initial sign-up payment to Brighton Housing Trust. You can buy or gift an ownership at LewesFC.com/owners. Andy Winter, BHT’s Chief Executive, commented: We are thrilled to be associated with this campaign. Lewes FC is such an amazing force for good, promoting equality and consistently identifying with the pressing issues facing our communities. Over the last year, with all … Read more

Andy Winter, BHT’s Chief Executive, has called for investment in prevention services in order to help end homelessness and rough sleeping for good. Speaking at the annual conference of the National Housing Federation’s Smaller Housing Associations Conference, which was held online this month, Andy Winter said that councils like Brighton and Hove City Council, working in partnership with others, did “incredibly well to accommodate so many people during the first pandemic lockdown”, but warned that a different approach is needed to end homelessness for good. He said: If we are ever to end homelessness and rough sleeping we have to … Read more

BHT’s advice centres will again remain open over the national lockdown period, providing specialist housing, immigration and benefits advice to vulnerable people within our local communities. This will mean that more people can stay in their homes – last year our advice centres in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings prevented 927 households from becoming homeless. While our offices are not currently open for drop-in appointments, we are providing our usual advice by telephone, email and other media. The Community Justice Fund has given BHT financial support to enable our crucial advice services to continue at this time, despite the challenges posed … Read more

This Saturday 10 October is World Homeless Day, and BHT is launching a new campaign, #EndItBeforeItBegins, to encourage people who are worried about their housing situation to seek advice to prevent homelessness before it begins. Last year the BHT advice centres in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings prevented 927 households from becoming homeless. BHT’s advice centres offer free, independent, high quality advice on a range of housing, immigration and welfare benefits related issues, and have continued to operate throughout the pandemic. While our offices are not currently open for drop-in appointments, we are providing the usual advice by telephone, email and … Read more