Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our overarching mission centres around creating a world where individuals with complex needs and behaviours that challenge can access secure, sustainable and inclusive housing. We actively support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and believe that by raising the quality bar of Specialised Supported Housing, we can also raise the bar of sustainability in the built environment. Our sustainability strategy focuses on creating homes that minimise environmental impact, enhance social well-being, and promote economic viability.
We include sustainability assessments in all project briefs and define measurable targets. Our strategy is to harness these promising prospects and promote private investment by bridging the gap between public and private funding, tackling social disparities, promoting economic advancement, and integrating environmentally conscious approaches in design and planning. We are always keen to collaborate with other organisations to address complex sustainability challenges collectively to increase our impact.
SDG 7.3 Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
We have embedded sustainability in our building design which involves efficient use of energy, water, and materials, thus promoting health and wellbeing, and protecting habitats and biodiversity. Futureproofing buildings while balancing business objectives adds to the complexity.
By embedding carbon reduction and other sustainability goals early, our properties can meet net-zero targets and remain resilient to future climate challenges. We are 100% committed to using sustainable business travel and providing energy-efficient homes over and above what is legally required. Recent high energy costs have increased the demand for installing energy-efficient systems.
SDG 8.5 Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all including persons with disabilities
Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all is crucial to achieving a sustainable future. Together with HM Prison and Probation Service and Employment Advisory Board, our ‘Pathway to Employment’ programme helps reintegrate prison leavers into society by supporting them back into work, in turn facilitating their recovery journey. Philip Warr, Chief Executive of Purpose Social Homes, currently chairs the Employment Advisory Board at HMP Guys Marsh and is also the Regional Chair for Employment Advisory Boards in Devon and North Dorset.
His role involves creating meaningful engagement between the prison service and employers to increase employment prospects for prison leavers and help businesses plug skill gaps, particularly in sectors such as construction, transportation, hospitality and manufacturing. We also plan to support the Ministry of Justice in providing housing for prison leavers as it has been proven that individuals who are provided with both employment and accommodation on release are less likely to re-offend.
SDG 10.2 Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity
Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind are integral to achieving UN SDGs which require transformative change to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and invest more in health, education, social protection and decent jobs, especially for vulnerable communities. Globally, 1.3 billion people (approximately 16% of the population) have some form of disability—not all of which are obvious or easy to see. Yet, people with disabilities are often subject to discrimination and exclusion. We provide and continue to advocate for safe, adequate, inclusive and accessible spaces to help the most vulnerable in society.
Our ‘Hospital to Home’ initiative transforms the lives of vulnerable people in society who have been institutionalised in hospitals over the years by housing them in an environment which they can call ‘home’. Each building project is unique and will require different design solutions depending on the needs of residents and support staff. Our clients who commission projects including adaptations and renovations have a key role in setting our sustainability ambitions for each project.
SDG 11.1 Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing
We make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. We provide multi-use housing adapted to be safe and accessible using a Safety and Health Environment Assessment (SHEA). For every project, we engage extensively with stakeholders to inform, inspire, and guide the design and specification process. This engagement includes Commissioners, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Parents, Technical Team, Architects and Sustainability Consultants, considering their preferences to ensure the environment supports high-quality, person-centred care.
We ensure premises are designed to maintain dignity, privacy and safety without feeling impersonal or institutional. We conduct a thorough audit of the entire design before starting construction, rather than waiting until work is completed. After residents move in, we address any issues and make necessary adaptations to ensure residents can fully settle into their homes.
SDG 12.2 Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns is key to sustaining the livelihoods of current and future generations. It’s in businesses’ interest to find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production patterns. Our ‘Circular Thinking in Design & Build’ provides solutions by reusing and repurposing existing properties and extending their lifecycle.
Upcycling old properties represents a remarkable intersection of sustainable development and social responsibility, with a significant impact on the circular economy. By repurposing existing structures and converting them into bespoke living spaces for vulnerable individuals with complex needs, we not only minimise the environmental footprint associated with new construction but also breathe new life into underutilised properties.
SDG 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
Urgent and transformative action going beyond mere plans and promises is crucial. It requires raising ambition, covering entire economies and moving towards climate-resilient development, whilst outlining a clear path to achieve net-zero emissions.
Our ‘Healing the Planet’ programme rejuvenates urban landscapes by integrating green spaces into properties, promoting biodiversity and creating therapeutic environments. ‘Moving Beyond Carbon’ promotes sustainable business travel by reducing fossil fuel dependence, thus advancing clean energy under Scope 1 emissions and enhancing EPC ratings of properties under Scope 2 emissions.
SDG 17.17 Encouraging and promoting effective public, private and civil society partnerships
The 2030 Agenda is universal and calls for action by all countries to ensure no one is left behind. It requires partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society. We bring private investment into the social housing sector and bridge the funding gap. By doing so, we promote government and private partnerships that drive innovation, growth, and sustainable development.
We recognise that environmental impact extends beyond our direct operations, hence we partner with external organisations to collectively address climate challenges. We work closely with our service delivery suppliers to ensure sustainable practices, including assessing their environmental performance and giving preference to those who are committed to climate action.