Karbon extends specialist housing support

A Newcastle-headquartered housing provider is expanding specialist services after securing long-term funding to strengthen mental health and homelessness support across the city.

Karbon Homes has been awarded a three-year contract worth more than £1.6 million by Newcastle City Council to deliver supported accommodation and floating support for people with mental health needs. 

The recommissioning will see Karbon continue its role within the city’s homelessness provision, working in partnership with mental health charity Waythrough.

Under the terms of the contract, Karbon will increase its accommodation-based support to 54 units, an uplift of 24 homes, alongside 70 units of floating support to help people remain stable in their own homes or community settings. 

Waythrough will provide a further 16 units of accommodation-based support, with all services coordinated through the council’s centralised supported housing referral system.

Jon McDonald, head of supported housing at Karbon Homes, said: “We have a long-standing partnership with both Newcastle City Council and Waythrough, and I’m delighted this contract will enable us to have more capacity to deliver a higher level of support across the city to those in need, particularly those who have experienced homelessness alongside enduring mental health needs. 

“Our service will deliver flexible, person-centred support to enable people to gain and sustain skills to live a fulfilling, independent life. 

“Providing specialist home-based support in conjunction with mental health expertise allows us to deliver integral services across Newcastle. 

“This will play a crucial role in helping prevent repeat cases and escalation to more intensive support needs.”  

The expanded provision builds on more than 25 years of collaboration between Karbon and Newcastle City Council, as well as a decade-long partnership with Waythrough, focusing on housing-led recovery, continuity of care and pathways towards independent living for people with complex mental health and housing needs.

Councillor Paula Maines, cabinet member for housing at Newcastle City Council, added: “Our priority is to take a preventative approach that helps people maintain their own tenancies and avoid the cycle of homelessness. 

“By working in partnership with Karbon Homes and Waythrough, we are ensuring that residents receive the right support at the right time, tailored to their individual needs. 

“This contract strengthens our commitment to providing not just accommodation, but the skills, confidence and connections people need to live independently and securely in their own homes. 

“Supporting people to sustain tenancies is central to our vision of reducing homelessness across Newcastle and building resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” 

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