Tom McGregor, Managing Director of Pathmeads, part of Genesis Housing Group, was invited to give a presentation to French government officials in Paris on how Pathmeads' temporary housing model works in London, and how it could help tackle homelessness in France.

The French government is looking at ways to address the issue of large numbers of people sleeping on the streets, particularly in light of a new law which increases the rights of certain priority groups to challenge the state for accommodation.

Public demonstrations and unrest in Paris following a series of fires in poor quality hostels, which claimed the lives of a number of people - largely from immigrant groups, including children - has urged the French government to take action.

In attendance at the seminar were the homelessness advisor to the French Prime Minister, a Paris City Councillor, the MP charged with reviewing the current French homelessness system and social housing developers supported by their national regulating body.

At the event, hosted by the Agency for the Improvement of Accommodation (ANAH), Tom McGregor outlined how private leasing schemes work, with a focus on the operational requirements of setting one up. He also discussed key trends and funding issues, the range of providers and the relationships between them.

Lively debate was sparked as interesting differences between the French and UK legal systems emerged. For example, while in the UK data on ethnicity and faith is collected to tailor services to different groups, in France this kind of data collection is illegal.

Representative from the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association also provided information on homelessness legislation in England, and the situation in London.

As part of the visit, Pathmeads' Business Development Manager was taken on a tour of emergency hostels in Paris. This provided Pathmeads with a valuable insight into the profile of homeless people in Paris, the systems in place for tackling the issue and the agencies involved in early intervention activity.

Laurent Girometti, Directeur Technique et Juridique at ANAH, said "The senior decision-makers you have advised found the talks absolutely fascinating. The information has greatly contributed to the current work on how to reform the French homelessness system".

Tom McGregor said "The interest that has been shown in Paris is a real vote of confidence for Pathmeads' successful response to homelessness. Families in temporary housing should receive a service every bit as good as those in permanent housing, and Pathmeads has gone to great lengths to develop its Quality Temporary Housing service. Inspection results, in which Pathmeads was awarded two stars by the Audit Commission, demonstrated that tenants housed in temporary homes often enjoy a good standard of living, and we are pleased to be acknowledged in France for this success."

The invitations followed on from an influential appearance made by Pathmeads and other London housing organisations on popular French TV news programme, Enjeux de Campagne, (Public Senat TV), which was aired in February as the French went to the polls for mayoral elections. Pathmeads was picked by the political programme to represent an EU model of success in tackling homelessness.

The filmed report discussed how UK housing associations and local authorities manage to tackle homelessness and reduce the number of families with children using bed and breakfast accommodation.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact Diana Evans on 020 8150 4178

or email diana.evans@ghg.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pathmeads is a leading provider of property management services for around 20,000 homes. As the largest registered social landlord providing temporary accommodation, it manages around 5,000 units across 14 London boroughs. Its operations cover a number of key areas, including:

• Temporary housing provision whereby Pathmeads manages privately leased homes around London;
• A contracts division which manages homes for other landlords, such as local authorities, housing associations, primary care and NHS trusts, developers and private investors;
• Managing a pilot Settled Lettings Agency scheme on behalf of the Communities and Local Government department and five south east London local authorities;
• Has developed a range of 'temporary to settled' leasing schemes;
• Works with local authorities across the south of England on refurbishing and managing empty homes;
• Provides a range of contract management, block management and mixed tenure management services for local authorities and private investors.
• Pathmeads received a two star (good service) rating with promising prospects for improvement, from Audit Commission inspectors in December 2007. The inspection was the first Audit Commission inspection to focus specifically on temporary housing.