The Phoenix Project
The Phoenix Project provides specialist supported accommodation for male prison leavers with complex mental health needs, helping them reintegrate into the local community
and reduce reoffending.
In partnership with:
Why is the project needed?
When transferring from prison to the community, individuals often experience a disruption in their mental healthcare. Without this, they are more likely to reoffend and return to prison.
For those with serious mental illness, the challenges of securing accommodation, finding employment, and maintaining relationships are heightened. Upon release, many face homelessness or insecure living arrangements that do not meet their support needs. As a result, in some cases, individuals intentionally reoffend as they perceive prison as a safe place.
The Housing Solution
You’re Home’s model is simple: by providing accommodation at reduced rents to people with low needs, tenants can progress with their recovery from homelessness and transition into independent living in longer term, stable housing.
You’re Home sits within East Belfast Mission’s wider existing services, including its homeless hostel. The project acts as a pathway for tenants to, once ready, move on from the hostel and into good-quality, self-contained independent housing, while freeing up to five spaces in the hostel for those in need.
The five homes may become a permanent residence for tenants, and move on is not envisaged as a key element of the project but will be supported where appropriate for any individual. Tenants also benefit from wrap-around support services if required to help with issues such as finding a job or budgeting.
The project was enabled through £550,000 of social investment, aiding in the acquisition of the houses in Belfast.
Project progress
-
Servol and Commonweal launched the West Midlands-based project in November 2025.
-
Over the next three years researcher at Just Ideas will evulate the learnings from this project, focusing on the impact XXX
Updates on the project's progress and learnings will be posted on this page.
"When I was given the opportunity to move into my own home, I couldn’t believe it. Now I feel that my life is going to start again. I have hope and opportunity. I feel that I am someone in this country, able to do something with my life.”
You’re Home tenant