Partnerships

We welcome groups from the student community, faith community, global community and funders to become partners with us to set up new MEHO projects with objectives close to their hearts.

Students

Universities always have been, and always will be, places of inspiration and innovation. That is not to say that ideas cannot come from elsewhere, but simply that any place where vibrant, intelligent analytical people are brought together with the tools for research and the time for discussion will necessarily spark creativity and activity.

Although the basic MEHO concept was not created by the student body, the activity and publicity that makes it a reality can, and should, be. As students, we ought to represent the leaders of the future, leaders of business, politics, academics, charities and communities. In the current economic climate, many of us are more worried about how we will house and feed ourselves in the future, than how we can make the world a better place, but by supporting and promoting the Caledonian Foundation, you will be doing both.

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The MEHO model will help to get the housing market moving and stimulate the economy. It will help compete with private landlords forcing them to improve their standards and meaning that the excessive rents will no longer be viable. This means that all people currently stuck in the ‘rent trap’ (where excessive rent costs prevent them from saving for a deposit on a house) will have a better chance of finding secure, affordable accommodation and being able to take ownership of that home for their own benefit rather than lining the coffers of private individuals.

By showing the government and corporate sectors that we can and will take effective action as student bodies, as individuals and as members of the community, we will help to show that power is not only held by the elite, but that every member of society should share in decision-making for the benefit of all.

The power and reach of student communities and digital media has been proved time and again, and if every student in Britain chose to vote with their wallet and moved away from private rent, we would have £4 billion to put to use to creating secure, affordable accommodation for students from all walks of life.

In terms of personal development, supporting the Caledonian Foundation offers you the chance to develop skills and experience relevant to your future career. Fund-raising, digital and on-the-ground campaigns, net-working, marketing, management, negotiation and providing front-line support services are activities that will not only benefit communities today, but will make you a more rounded and experienced job candidate.

We don’t want to sound like a careers adviser, but we need your help and honestly believe that by helping us, you will help to create a better future, for yourself, and for everyone.

Faith Communities

“There is no place like home ” Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

Maya Angelou speaks for Dorothy and most of the rest of us when she remarks, “The ache for home lives in all of us.” This ache for home is about more than having a roof over your head. Home is about relationship, place, memory, nurture, safety and security.

Sadly for growing numbers in our contemporary culture Dorothy’s words are not a description of a longing to return to home but rather of a longing just to have one. For all too many there is literally no place like home. Some are excluded from the experience of home, by homelessness or low pay, others can’t put down the roots which nurture home because of short term leases and high rents and still more by losing their home through repossession.

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This contemporary problem of social exclusion from the experience of home matters to people of faith and the Caledonian foundation aims to work with faith communities in addressing these problems.

My job as the faith based coordinator of the Foundation is basically to inform and inspire. I want to inform individuals and groups about these issues around “home” and how they intersect with the values of people of faith, particularly Christianity. I also want to Inspire people to support our work and get involved actively in what we do.

Specifically, I will do this by:

 

  • Making presentations to churches and connected groups on Christianity’s understanding of home, it’s importance for our culture and the work of the Caledonian Foundation.
  • Encouraging people to be part of our prayer support network.
  • Encouraging people to volunteer to help the work of the Foundation.
  • Encouraging individuals and churches to financially invest in the work of the Foundation.
  • Inform interested groups about how the MEHO microeconomic model could work in their area or country.

Global Community

There a widespread problem in providing affordable housing in many countries around the world due to various reasons: economic crisis, natural disaster, aftermath of war.

Even in western countries, more and more people are becoming homeless, living below poverty line or facing the daunting prospect of their home being repossessed.

For example, the following are some alarming figures for Belgium:

  • Number of homeless people is more than 50.000; approximately 5000 are permanently living on the streets
  • 14.6% of the population (and 35.5% of the single parent families) is living below the poverty line.
  • During the first 2 months of 2012, 2108 Belgian families lost their homes through repossession
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Our Micro Equity Home Ownership model provides a structure to encourage inward investment to fund development projects. As well as delivering the physical housing units, our model provides a holistic solution to rebuild a community by encouraging mutual ownership, home support and befriending,

There are many ways that you can get involved with the Caledonian Foundation. For example:

• You can help us identify the housing need in your community by researching and compiling the numbers of families who are homeless, below poverty-line or facing repossession. This will help us quantify the scale of development required for each locality.
• You can become an ambassador to help us adopt our model for your community and help us promote it to encourage local support.
• You can become an investor and support us financially to get the project in your community off the ground.

We are working with international agencies, universities and local business leaders to adapt MEHO for various countries. If you wish to see MEHO being implemented in your country to help provide affordable homes for your community, then please get in touch.

Funders

The business and social sector have an important role to play in the provision of secure and affordable homes for the people that need it most. A home is more than a roof over our heads! It’s a place where we grow, develop, relax and spend time with our families and friends.

Many of our social problems are caused by insecurity in long-term accommodation. This insecurity is becoming severe, fuelled by financial stress in mortgages, high rents and job losses, which in turn cause stress in family relationships, leading to further social and economic challenges.

In 2012 42,322 households in Scotland were assessed as homeless and 22,000 children were living in temporary accommodation. These statistics clearly illustrate the need for sustainable and affordable housing for the people that need it most. Our target audience includes homeless people moving from supported accommodation to mainstream housing, families facing repossession, young people wanting to set up home, older people wishing to retain their home and independence, and others who want to establish a home for the first time.
Not only is there a moral responsibility to care for your employees, stakeholders and society but there are added benefits too. It’s self-evident that children and families living in secure homes are likely to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.

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By helping the foundation to create this long term solution to the housing shortage, you will be actively contributing to a society that is healthier, smarter and has benefits for all.

Ways you can help

Whether you are making a one-off donation, giving a gift in kind or looking for a long term charity partner, when you team up with us you can be sure you are making a big difference and contributing to the provision of affordable housing for all.
Partnerships are central to our success. As an independent charity we are seeking partnerships with other organisations, the Government and local authorities. The money we raise from the public allows us to invest in new properties and help people have a home.

Over the next few months’ we’ll be keeping you updated with tips, advice and stories of how to help us provide affordable housing solutions for the people that need it most. We will also be visiting towns and cities across Scotland to share our solutions and talk to you all. If you have any questions, or would like us to pay you a visit please don’t hesitate to get in touch.