North East property developer Modo Bloc has announced a unique project to support and fund people experiencing homelessness across the region.
The Newcastle-based developer has formed a partnership with Christian homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing to donate £2,000 towards housing and supporting a homeless person for every new house or two flats it sells this year.
Modo Bloc has already sold two properties ‘off plan’ at its luxury, seven design-led, four-storey townhouses development, The Ropes, at St Lawrence Road, overlooking the Ouseburn Valley and River Tyne, in Newcastle. A first donation has already been paid to the charity.
George Jenkins, MD of Modo Bloc, explained: “We have a busy, exciting year ahead with new home developments across the city – especially in and around Ouseburn. These projects will set a new standard in residential development and drive regeneration in a key area of the city.
“As part of our wider plans to be a catalyst for regeneration we felt it was important to do something with people struggling in the communities in which we invest. It’s important to look to the people as well as living places when trying to build better communities and attractive destinations.
“Homelessness is a national blight. People end up on our streets, for a mix of reasons, and often only need a bit of kindness and a practical pull up to improve their situation. Oasis Community Housing has been doing this for years and was the perfect choice for us to work with. They’re doing some fantastic work tackling homelessness around Newcastle and beyond.”
Oasis Community Housing, established in Gateshead in the 1980s, works across the North East, the South East and London to address the immediate needs and the root causes of homelessness. It provides crisis services as well as 24/7 supported accommodation. Last year the charity supported more than 1,300 people and housed 221 individuals and families.
Hazel Ditchburn, corporate relationship manager, at Oasis Community Housing, said: “We’re delighted to have Modo Bloc supporting us in our efforts to ease homelessness in the region. Their support is invaluable and crucial to helping fund the services we provide to local people.
“They are one of only a few property developers to support us, but the Modo Bloc partnership is the first of its kind. We would call this cause related marketing. Where we are taking a donation from the sale of a product, in this case a new home.
“The partnership with Modo Bloc is important and potentially transformative in terms of corporate partnerships going forward. This funding is important for our UK-wide team of 80 people but more importantly the hundreds of vulnerable men, women and families we are supporting every year.”
Modo Bloc recently submitted a planning application to build a 28 unit apart-hotel with two commercial units in the Ouseburn. If passed and developed out this would see a further 14 people experiencing homelessness fed and sheltered for a year.
Construction of The Ropes, a £4m development, is due to be completed by the summer of 2023.
It is expected The Ropes will be sold off-plan to homeowners and investors looking to buy a uniquely designed home in an attractive, historic location on the banks of the Tyne. The properties are coming to market via Newcastle estate agent Hive Estates – who are already taking registrations of interest.
