ProxyAddress uses duplicated addresses to connect those facing homelessness with support. Watch the video below or read on to find out more.
An address is no longer just a location - it's now a de facto means of identification. This means that if a person becomes homeless they are immediately cut off from the basic services they need to recover. The ability to apply for jobs, receive benefits, open a bank account, receive post: all are placed out of reach at the point they are needed most. Those who might have otherwise got back on their feet with a little early support are instead left to become entrenched in the situation and develop more complex and care-intensive needs over time.
ProxyAddress provides a stable address throughout this period of instability. Using existing data, we create and provide a consistent 'proxy' address that can be used to access services regardless of location or how often you move.
ProxyAddress has been featured in:
Chris is an award-winning architect and designer from Liverpool, now based in London. He believes that good design should be socially, economically, and ecologicallly sustainable. He created ProxyAddress to tackle systemic issues faced by those experiencing homelessness. To find out more, you can watch the video below.
Chris has been named a Big Issue Changemaker, an RIBA Rising Star, a Designer in Residence of the Design Museum, and one of the top 100 architects of 2020. His work has recieved awards such as the RIBA President's Medal for Research, a D&AD Impact Award for Humanitarian Aid, and was named one of the Beazley Designs of the Year. He is also Director of design studio, Hildrey Studio, and has spoken on television, radio, and in the Houses of Parliament about the role of design to effect positive social change.
Chris is Head of Best Practice at Crisis, leading on direct services and support for organisations to prevent and relieve homelessness across the UK. Within the wider role of Crisis as the UK's national charity for homeless people, Chris has valuable insight into campaigning, lobbying government, undertaking research, and providing all-round support to those facing homelessness.
Tom is the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development. He has raised concerns about the lack of housing supply across all types of the private rented sector and the increase in rough sleeping. In 2016 he published Tax Trial which called on the Mayor to seek powers from government to trial a Land Value Tax in part of London. He is also a local councillor in Lewisham representing Sydenham ward.
Cat is Chief Design Officer at Design Council and has extensive expertise in combining policy making and design. She has previously spent 12 years in government, working across the Home Office, Cabinet office, and No.10, as well as working at UsCreates, now part of FutureGov. Cat has a great eye for seeing how design can transform organisations in a way that makes sense and brings everyone along together.
Hayfa is a Partner at Flint Global, a firm that advises on policy, politics, regulation and competition. Prior to this, Hayfa was a diplomat and policy advisor, serving as Counsellor to the President of the UN General Assembly and Deputy Permanent Representative for Bahrain to the UN in New York. She has led high-impact international partnerships and is experienced in helping organisations to grow.
Elaine is an independent consultant and NED specialising in creating services for vulnerable members of our society. Previously, Elaine was Head of Customer Vulnerability and Accessibility at Barclays where she created and delivered their market leading customer vulnerability strategy. Elaine is passionate about the development of sustainable, scaleable solutions to address financial inclusion.
Jeff is Director at Cast Consultancy and previously led the Housing Strategy and Programmes Team at Lewisham Council. His work has included enabling a range of innovative and award-winning approaches to construction and off-site manufacture, and to enabling community-led development. He is passionate about using innovation to address our most pressing problems in the built environment.
This gives a quick summary of ProxyAddress that you can print and share in colour or in black and white. The leaflet explains how to access the service and the benefits it can provide. Click on the image above to download.
For a more in-depth look at the award-winning research behind ProxyAddress you can read the white paper. The paper describes the context, interviews, and theory behind ProxyAddress. Click on the image above to view at Taylor & Francis Online.
To mark the launch of the ProxyAddress pilot in London, we undertook a nationally representative survey into public perception and experiences of homelessness. Click the image above to read the full report.
For media enquiries please contact press@proxyaddress.org.
6th April 2021:
ProxyAddress, is an initiative supported by Geovation and Ordnance Survey, which provides the homeless with a consistent, secure, and free address which they can use to access the support they need during periods of instability.
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Direct Impact
Your generosity won't be lost in the system. 100% of your donation goes towards providing stability for those facing homelessness.
Maximum Benefit
All donations are ringfenced - we don't pay ourselves from your generosity. You can donate as a one-off or support us continuously with a monthly donation which you can cancel any time.
Different Ways to Help
Did you know that you can also donate your own address to ProxyAddress? It's secure and effective. To find out more, get in touch with us below.