Celebrating a Major Milestone: 200 Tenants and Growing!

Gary Scott, Founding Trustee 

This month, we are celebrating the exciting milestone of 200 people living in safe, secure Zetetick homes. We asked the founder of Zetetick Housing, Gary Scott, to reflect on his 18-year journey from the initial formation of Zetetick Housing. 

In 2007, there was a significant shortage of social housing, and unfortunately, we are still facing very similar issues almost twenty years later. It seemed so unfair to me that people who had a disability or were reliant on state funding were actively discriminated against when it came to seeking a home to rent. Housing Associations fell woefully short in delivering the much-needed social housing and there was zero prospect of a person on benefits being able to afford to buy a home. If we were going to make a difference, then we would need to create sustainable pathways that would make the rental market more accessible and practicable for vulnerable, high support-needs individuals. Easier said than done!  

Working with our wonderful Care Provider partners, we set out to deliver best practice by ensuring a separation between personal care and housing needs. In creating Zetetick Housing, I took a leap of faith; working to develop a unique and innovative charity delivering ‘best practice’ with the aim of opening the private rental market to our disabled tenants. I am very proud of the decision to make that leap of faith, beginning a legacy that will endure beyond me and my dreams – to make a difference. 

As of today, we have so thrilled to have supported 200 vulnerable adults in finding safe, secure and stable housing. Each of those 200 individuals are now able to receive the support they need to live independently in their own homes, engaging with their local communities.  

Previously, dense housing legislation framework had been frozen in time since 1996, when the then Government decided that tackling poorly conceived legislation was more hassle than it was worth. 18-years later, that same legislation remains unchanged! The welfare budget remains inadequate, and Government spending is under increasing scrutiny, including the DWP and our specialist area of supported housing.  

Vulnerable, disabled and high support-needs individuals have the right to safe, secure and stable homes. This is the core driving force behind Zetetick housing, our commitment to giving our tenants a stable platform on which to build. I am very proud of Zetetick Housing and what the organisation has achieved, but my pride extends beyond those achievements. Ultimately, people are the heart of Zetetick- those we employ, work in partnership with, and most importantly, our tenants. It is these people that make Zetetick Housing the organisation it is today – committed, caring, and believing in our values. 

What does the future hold for ZHC and all the people we support? I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do have faith in the people we entrust to run the charity. Scrutiny is getting harder, the finance landscape is tough, housing shortages remain a challenge and new legislation will always make life interesting! Nevertheless, Zetetick Housing has grown over the years to become an expert in supported accommodation, showing resilience in the face of all the challenges over the past 18 years.  

Everyone can make a difference in some small way – volunteering to help people or organisations like ZHC. Donations, however small or large. Think about a social return on something you have – leasing a property to ZHC is more than just rent, it’s about giving a home to a vulnerable person. 

Freephone: 0800 03 08 009

Email: [email protected]

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