NATIONAL AWARD FOR NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CHARITY

Framework has received a £50,000 prize for excellence in tackling homelessness.

Framework is one of only three housing associations nationwide to win the prestigious Gold Award from the Housing Corporation – the government agency responsible for the funding and regulation of social housing.

Assessed by a distinguished judging panel, Framework beat stiff competition to become one of the first winners in the annual award scheme launched by the Corporation last year.

The awards were announced on Tuesday 16 May at a special ceremony at London’s Globe Theatre. Yvette Cooper, Housing and Planning Minister, presented the award to Framework’s Chief Executive Andrew Redfern.

Mr Redfern said: “It is hard to imagine a more significant validation of the work of our staff in resettling homeless and vulnerable people across Nottinghamshire. We look forward to working with the Housing Corporation to share our experience – and to learn from other associations in the field.”

Also representing Framework at the ceremony was service user Patsy Sutherland from Worksop who joined Elizabeth Hutchinson, Chair of the Framework Board and Framework staff members.

Housing Corporation Board Member and Chair of the judging panel, Sir Duncan Michael said: “The Gold Award competition is about recognising excellence in housing provision, sharing cutting-edge knowledge with the housing sector. It is intended to raise the quality of housing provision for millions of residents across the country.

“The judging panel was extremely impressed with the very high standard of all the entries. All the finalists demonstrated that their projects and approaches could be replicated by other associations, which made choosing the winners a difficult task.

“We are confident that the winners have the capacity to share their key messages effectively across the sector, sharing good practice and making a real difference.

As an award winner Framework receives £50,000 to fund a year-long programme of dissemination which starts in July to share excellent schemes with housing associations across the country, in partnership with the Housing Corporation and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

For further information visit the Housing Corporation website:

http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3887