Lifeline Harrogate
People living better lives by being given a place to live
The number of people sleeping rough in England roughly doubled between 2012 and 2019. Homelessness has increased by 14% just in the last year (2024-2025). With everage rents in Harrogate of £730 pcm and an 'average' property price of £323,000, it is no wonder that people struggle to find accommodaton, particuarly when only 11% of properties in our district are available for social renting,
Hostels like Harrogate Homeless Project do an amazing job getting people off the streets and giving them a roof over their head and working with them to address immediate needs. People though need a home and a front door key in order to start to begin re-building their lives and that is where we have found Lifeline has been able to meet a real need.
The step change from homelessness to an emergency hostel, then straight into indepedent accommodation (assuming that is available) is far too big a step for many people and therefore Lifeline is able to stand in the gap and provide fully independent living, with floating support. Here are some of the many other areas of support that Lifeline is able to provide:
- We prevent isolation, isolation being a major cause of homelessness
- We encourage social interaction (outings, peer support, lunch clubs etc etc)
- A residential address helps massively with finding work
- We introduce the resident to other agencies who can help
- We support residents by accompanying them to medical appointments
- We support residents in applying for the benefits they are entitled to
- Lifeline creates a culture that encourages the residents to engage in at least 10 hours per week of meaningful activity such as volunteering, training, education or employment
- We provide reassuring support on a day to day, week to week basis
- Lifeline keeps people safe by not allowing visitors and we have cameras to monitor who comes and goes to our properties
- We help to restore family and personal relationships. Each person is unique and has different needs, with different reasons for being homeless. So we will always personalise everything and create an individual support plan for each person.
Lifeline's goal is to create interdependence for residents. We recognise that isolation can be an issue, hence we are always trying to create a support network for our residents whilst they are with us, so that when they leave Lifeline they will be able to make a successful transition to independence. Whilst, of course, shared living creates inevitable tensions, we believe that lifelong bonds can be formed as residents support each other. Isolation is often what cases homelessness, and hopelessness, in the first place and by creating the right balance in each house, which is not always easy, we can provide the circumstances in which the residents can flourish.
Carl and Georgie are commited to serving the Lord Jesus and see our faith being lived out as we always see the best in people and want to see them live better lives. Jesus always walked alongside people and met them where they are. We believe in doing what we do we are being his hands and feet.
Lifeline remains committed to purchase more houses and to house more people in need.
Carl Good
November 2025