DJ Alexander recently welcomed members of the Homewards Aberdeen team to its city office for a Lunch & Learn session focused on practical ways to prevent homelessness across the region.
Homewards, an initiative of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, aims to show that homelessness can be prevented when local organisations work together and intervene early.
The programme brings partners around the table to address the underlying pressures that put people at risk, including financial strain, relationship breakdown, and gaps in support.
Aberdeen is one of only six areas across the UK taking part, and the only location in Scotland.
During the visit, Homewards representatives Anu Kasim and Kimberley Burn outlined the programme’s priorities for Aberdeen. These include improving tenancy sustainment, widening access to early help, and developing approaches that could be adapted by other cities. The initiative is already collaborating with housing providers, local authorities, third‑sector organisations, and businesses to shape long term solutions.
Staff from DJ Alexander also took part in Social Ludo Pathways Paradox, an interactive exercise that demonstrates how life events, financial shocks, and interactions with different services can influence someone’s housing journey. The activity sparked thoughtful discussion and highlighted the complexity of the challenges faced by people across the North East.
DJ Alexander’s Aberdeen office is committing to participate in a pilot with Homewards partners to pilot a new approach to sustaining tenancies in the Private rented sector. Through early‑warning, trust based conversations with tenants, the pilot will identify challenges sooner, provide earlier support for those facing financial pressure, and help prevent homelessness before rent arrears take hold.
For those interested in learning more about the work taking place in Aberdeen and the wider aims of the Homewards programme, further information is available on their website:- https://homewards.org.uk/locations/aberdeen/ .