The Brighton and Hove Community Wealth Building Action Plan 2023 is a report that outlines the city’s commitment to becoming the UK’s leading city for community wealth building (CWB). CWB is a movement that seeks to use the spending power within a local area in ways that maximise benefits to local communities. This can include local procurement, community ownership, and the development of small enterprises, cooperatives, and social enterprises.
One key area where CWB could have a significant impact is in addressing homelessness and promoting social inclusion. The city of Brighton and Hove is facing the challenge of homelessness, with the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the city increasing by 14% between 2016 and 2020 [1]. One potential solution to this challenge is the development of a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site.
The Brighton General Hospital site has been earmarked for sale by the council, and there is a proposal to develop a homeless hub service on the site. This proposal has the potential to provide a coordinated and integrated approach to addressing homelessness and meeting the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, similar to the successful model implemented in Barcelona [2] and Preston [3]. In addition to addressing homelessness, this proposal has the potential to generate economic benefits for the city, such as the creation of new jobs and the generation of additional income for the council, which can be reinvested in better services and infrastructure.
The alternative option for the Brighton General Hospital site is to sell it to developers, which could result in a lack of accessible housing for locals and potentially contribute to the ongoing issue of homelessness in the city. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits and challenges of the homeless hub proposal and how it fits within the broader context of CWB in Brighton and Hove, as well as the potential consequences of leaving the site to developers.
Community Wealth Building: A Solution to Homelessness
Brighton and Hove has a long history of progressivism and a commitment to social justice, and CWB is a natural fit for the city’s values. By promoting local procurement, community ownership, and social enterprise and cooperatives, the city can create more prosperous and inclusive communities for all.
One specific area where CWB can have a significant impact is in addressing homelessness and promoting social inclusion. Homelessness is a complex issue that requires a coordinated and integrated approach, and CWB initiatives can provide the necessary support to help individuals experiencing homelessness get back on their feet and reintegrate into society.
Barcelona and Preston are two cities that have successfully implemented CWB initiatives to address homelessness and promote social inclusion. In Barcelona, the Centre d’Acollida d’Urgència (CAU) [2] provides a range of services to individuals experiencing homelessness, including housing, healthcare, social support, and employment assistance. The CAU has been successful in reducing homelessness in the city, with the number of individuals experiencing homelessness decreasing by 25% between 2015 and 2020 [3].
Preston has also implemented successful CWB initiatives to address homelessness and promote social inclusion. These initiatives include the development of a housing first model, which provides permanent housing and support to individuals experiencing homelessness [4], and the creation of a community wealth fund, which invests in local businesses and social enterprises [5]. Data from the Preston City Council [6] shows that the housing first model implemented in Preston has resulted in a 50% reduction in homelessness, and the community wealth fund has invested in over 50 local businesses and social enterprises, creating over 250 new jobs and generating an additional £6 million in local economic activity.
By learning from the best practices of Barcelona and Preston, Brighton and Hove has the opportunity to develop innovative and effective approaches to addressing homelessness and promoting social inclusion through CWB. By embracing the principles of CWB, the city can reclaim its progressive values and become a leader in addressing homelessness and promoting social inclusion.
The Homeless Hub Proposal at the Brighton General Hospital Site
The Brighton General Hospital site is a prime location for the development of a homeless hub service, as it is a publicly-owned site that is easily accessible and has existing infrastructure that could be repurposed for this purpose. By developing a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site, the city can provide a coordinated and integrated approach to addressing homelessness and meeting the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, similar to the successful models implemented in Barcelona and Preston.
This proposal has the potential to provide a range of services to individuals experiencing homelessness, including housing, healthcare, social support, and employment assistance. By providing these services in one location, the city can reduce duplication and ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness receive the support they need to get back on their feet and reintegrate into society.
In addition to addressing homelessness, the development of a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site has the potential to generate economic benefits for the city. This could include the creation of new jobs, the generation of additional income for the council, and the promotion of local businesses and social enterprises. By investing in these types of initiatives, the city can create more prosperous and inclusive communities for all.
Surely, the evidence from Barcelona and Preston demonstrates the potential for CWB initiatives to effectively address homelessness and promote social inclusion. By implementing similar initiatives in Brighton and Hove, the city has the opportunity to make a significant impact on reducing homelessness and improving the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition to addressing homelessness, CWB initiatives can also generate economic benefits for the city, such as the creation of new jobs and the generation of additional income for the council, which can be reinvested in better services and infrastructure.
The development of a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site is a prime opportunity for the city to embrace CWB principles and make a positive impact on homelessness and social inclusion. By choosing this option, the city can reclaim its progressive values and become a leader in addressing homelessness and promoting social inclusion.
On the other hand, the alternative option of selling the Brighton General Hospital site to developers could result in a lack of accessible housing for locals and potentially contribute to the ongoing issue of homelessness in the city. In addition, this option would miss out on the opportunity to generate economic benefits through the creation of new jobs, the promotion of local businesses and social enterprises, and the generation of additional income for the council.
In order to address homelessness and promote social inclusion in Brighton and Hove, it is crucial that the city embraces CWB principles and invests in initiatives that benefit the wider community. The development of a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site is a prime opportunity for the city to make a positive impact and become a leader in CWB.
The Alternative Option: Selling to Developers
The alternative option for the Brighton General Hospital site is to sell it to developers. This option could result in a lack of accessible housing for locals and potentially contribute to the ongoing issue of homelessness in the city. In addition, the sale of publicly-owned land to developers often results in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, rather than benefiting the wider community.
By selling to developers, the city would miss out on the opportunity to address homelessness and promote social inclusion through CWB initiatives. In addition, the city would miss out on the economic benefits that could be generated by investing in local businesses and social enterprises, such as the creation of new jobs and the generation of additional income for the council.
Looking Broader Into The Local Offer In Brighton and Hove For Community Wealth Building
Community Wealth Building (CWB) is a movement that aims to use the spending power within a local area to maximise benefits for local communities. This can include supporting local businesses and social enterprises, promoting the living wage, and encouraging community ownership of assets. The Brighton and Hove City Council has made CWB a priority in its Corporate Plan (2019-2023) and Economic Strategy (2018-2023).
The city has already demonstrated good practice in CWB through initiatives such as the Procurement Advisory Board, which scrutinises large procurements and advises on ways to incorporate social value and CWB; the appointment of a specialist in Sustainability and Social Value procurement; and the Research and Innovation Fibre Ring (RIFR) project, which saw the council secure government funding to deliver fibre in the city that could be commercialised through a cooperative of local digital businesses. There are also successful examples of community ownership in the city, such as The Bevy pub in Bevendean.
In order to explore the potential for CWB in Brighton and Hove, the city council worked with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) to develop a diagnostic report. The CLES report identified five pillars for the Community Wealth Building Action Plan, which include: procurement and local supply chains; employment and skills; enterprise and cooperatives; community ownership; and the built environment.
One potential solution for addressing homelessness in the city and promoting social inclusion is the development of a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site. This proposal aligns with the CWB principles of promoting local procurement and employment, supporting social enterprise and cooperatives, and encouraging community ownership. The homeless hub could provide a range of services such as social work support, drug therapy, mental health therapy, and access to medical professionals.
Other cities that have successfully implemented CWB principles include Preston and Barcelona. In Preston, the Community Wealth Fund has supported initiatives such as the creation of a local energy company and the development of a community-owned shopping centre. In Barcelona, the city’s Homeless Service Center has provided comprehensive care for homeless individuals, resulting in a reduction in the number of homeless people and drug users in the city.
By embracing CWB principles and investing in initiatives that benefit the wider community, Brighton and Hove has the opportunity to create more prosperous and inclusive communities for all. The development of a homeless hub service at the Brighton General Hospital site is a prime opportunity for the city to make a positive impact and demonstrate its commitment to social justice
References:
[1] Brighton and Hove City Council (2020). Rough Sleeping and Homelessness in Brighton & Hove: 2020 Data. Retrieved from https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/homelessness/rough-sleeping-and-homelessness-in-brighton-hove-2020-data.pdf
[2] Centre d’Acollida d’Urgència (CAU). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bcn.cat/acollida/caue/caue.htm
[3] Ayuntamiento de Barcelona (2020). Estadísticas de personas sin hogar en Barcelona. Retrieved from https://www.barcelona.cat/ca/ajuntament/estadistics/estadistiques-persones-sense-hogar-barcelona
[4] Preston City Council (2017). Housing First: Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness. Retrieved from https://www.preston.gov.uk/downloads/download/2177/housing_first_supporting_people_experiencing_homelessness
[5] Preston City Council (2017). The Community Wealth Fund. Retrieved from https://www.preston.gov.uk/downloads/download/2211/the_community_wealth_fund
[6] Preston City Council (2019). Homelessness in Preston. Retrieved from https://www.preston.gov.uk/downloads/download/2879/homelessness_in_preston
Here are some additional links and resources that may be useful in relation to this article:
- Brighton and Hove City Council’s Corporate Plan (2019-2023): https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-democracy/corporate-plan-2019-2023.pdf
- Brighton and Hove Economic Strategy (2018-2023): https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-democracy/economic-strategy-2018-2023.pdf
- The Bevy pub in Bevendean: https://thebevy.co.uk/
- The Research and Innovation Fibre Ring (RIFR) project: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/research-innovation-fibre-ring-rifr.pdf
- The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES): https://www.cles.org.uk/
- The Community Wealth Building Acton Plan: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-democracy/community-wealth-building-action-plan.pdf
- Just Life CIC: https://www.justlife.org.uk/
- Arch Healthcare: https://www.archhealthcare.org.uk/
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