Our Rough Sleeping Initiative is a beacon of hope and transformation, designed to provide comprehensive support and sustainable solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness. It is a testament to innovation, compassion, and effectiveness in addressing homelessness. By offering supported accommodation, comprehensive support services, and fostering strong community partnerships, we provide rough sleepers with the tools and opportunities to transform their lives. Our holistic approach, client empowerment, and community integration efforts have created lasting positive change, making our project truly award-worthy.

One Council Approach in Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway Council's innovative "One Council" approach, involving communities, partners, and stakeholders, is driving the development of better housing across the region. Despite not being a Housing Authority, Dumfries and Galloway Council's 2024 Housing Need and Demand Assessment identified significant needs: 3,014 households in need; 250 homeless families in temporary accommodation; 845 with a specialist housing need and 1060 below tolerable standard. Coupled with a 22% reduction in Government housing funding, the Council declared a Housing Emergency in June 2024. Since then, all Council Directorates have increased efforts to create solutions and enhance housing across all tenures – private, social and community. Key initiatives include: • Engaging 1,300 local stakeholders through Community Regeneration Master Planning, resulting in 300+ homes and £40M in external investment. • Empowering communities via Community Asset Transfer legislation to develop new housing. • Investing in Community-Led Town Centre Regeneration to revitalize High Streets with new housing. • Supporting New Scots in various tenures and targeting vacant and derelict land and property through Community Buy-Out legislation. These efforts have culminated in a new Housing Emergency Action Plan, ensuring sustained pace and creativity. By consolidating and building on these approaches, Dumfries and Galloway Council continues to empower and enable positive outcomes through its One Council Approach.

The Woodridings Court scheme in the Alexandra Palace ward of Haringey is a groundbreaking development that deserves to win the MJ’s 2025 Achievement Award for Innovation in Housing. Not only does it deliver 37 high-quality and sustainable homes, but it sets a global precedent as the first housing project to utilise the revolutionary Seismic Platform. This pioneering approach showcases our commitment to excellence and innovation in housing. Haringey Council has been at the forefront of housing innovation since 2019, leading an incredibly successful council housing delivery programme. The Housing Delivery Team is transforming lives with its ambitious goal of building 3,000 council homes by 2031. So far, 2,073 council homes have either been completed or are under construction; with planning permission for an additional 86 new homes. In 2024 alone, the team completed 497 new homes, providing high-quality, sustainable housing to those in need. The latest milestone in this journey is the Woodridings Court scheme, a development which exemplifies the council’s commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and community engagement. The scheme will introduce an additional 37 new council homes on the site and will be constructed using the Seismic Platform; it will be the world's first residential development using the Seismic Platform. The scheme will also bring significant benefits to existing residents. Following a period of community engagement and co-design, the development has been crafted to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding vernacular, while also delivering substantial improvements to the existing estate.

The Council is continually seeking innovative ways to deliver better outcomes for our residents and communities. In 2023, Rotherham Council launched its Small Sites Homebuilding Initiative. The initiative provides a fast-track route for developers to bring forward sites which they either own or can acquire. The Council commits to purchasing the completed homes off-plan, providing a guaranteed exit strategy for the developer. This includes an upfront payment for the land and agreed staged payments for the construction element which enables the developer to confidently progress with the development. Working in partnership with South Yorkshire based SME developer, Allert Building and Construction Ltd, the Council successfully delivered the very first homes through this initiative in September 2024. The project delivered seven homes (four two-bed and three three-bed houses) which are spacious and energy efficient homes. The homes are equipped with Air-Source Heat Pumps, meaning Infirmary Road is a ‘no gas’ development, helping to reduce energy bills for tenants. The scheme handed over in September 2024 giving an end-to-end timescale of approximately 18 months. A similar Council build scheme would take between two and three years. Rotherham are the first Council in the country to run this type of initiative on a back-to-back land deal approach alongside staged payments. As a result, the Council has received significant interest from other local authorities across the country that are interested in finding out more about our innovative approach.

Rising demand for homelessness support among young people and single adults on low incomes has prompted a transformational approach to addressing these challenges. Since 2018, requests for assistance from individuals aged 16 to 24 have surged by 477%. Recognising that issues extended beyond housing to include mental health, life skills, and access to support services, a new focus on prevention was implemented. As part of this, Merstow Place was established, providing supported housing for 18 to 25-year-olds. This program, operated by St Basils, equips residents with essential life skills and prepares them for independent living. The success of Merstow Place is evident, with 30 young people supported, 17 of whom completed life skills training and moved into permanent housing. Additionally, outreach efforts have contributed to a decrease in rough sleepers from 24 to 15. The creation of move-on accommodation, combined with outreach support, is also helping people escape a cycle of housing crisis. Ongoing partnerships with various organisations will further expand support services, including a new young persons’ accommodation scheme backed by significant funding and additional beds made available in an existing scheme. Through this comprehensive approach we are not only providing housing but long-term stability and brighter futures.

Warm and Well is an innovative, collaborative initiative between Public Health, the NHS (West London GP Federation), and Housing. The initiative tackles the root causes and adverse effects of damp and mould in council-managed homes and housing associations in our most deprived ward, Golborne. This pilot has enabled combining health and housing data to identify individuals and families who are particularly vulnerable due to a combination of poor living conditions and specific health challenges. These include residents with chronic respiratory conditions, learning disabilities, and severe mental illness (SMI), whose housing situations are exacerbating their health and wellbeing issues. Through this partnership a Senior Community Nurse and a Senior Property Surveyor conduct proactive home visits to identify and address both health and housing concerns. The Property Surveyor’s role focuses on inspecting homes for damp, mould, and other structural issues, and initiating the necessary repairs to remediate these problems. Simultaneously, the Senior Community Nurse assesses the residents’ physical and mental health. These may include referrals to occupational therapy for home aids and adaptations, social services for additional support, and smoking cessation support. In cases where more complex needs are identified, the Nurse convenes multi-disciplinary meetings to expedite coordinated care, helping to prevent further deterioration in the residents' health. Through collaboration, the initiative has delivered practical solutions by combining health and housing support in a way that directly benefits those most in need.

In 2019, Lambeth Council declared a climate emergency and set an ambitious goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Pivotal to this vision is a community-focused Electric Vehicle Charge Point (EVCP) programme aligned with the council's healthy streets approach. This initiative supports the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) while promoting sustainable transport alternatives such as walking, cycling, and public transport. We believe Lambeth’s approach is unique among unitary authorities in England, as it fully insources EV charging operations, ensuring that infrastructure and revenue remain under council control. This model allows reinvestment in local green initiatives and prioritises affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. Key efforts include addressing emissions from harder-to-convert vehicles, such as freight and delivery vehicles, to maximise carbon reduction. With a £7 million commitment from September 2023, the council is expanding its EVCP network, collaborating with industry partners, and leveraging data-driven strategies. Plans include installing over 650 lamp column chargers by 2025, adding 105 fast chargers, and rolling out thirty-nine rapid chargers, with nine operational by January 2025. An innovative EV hub, combining charging facilities with community/ workspaces, will further enhance accessibility and set a UK benchmark. Lambeth’s insourced model ensures equitable benefits, reinvesting revenue to expand infrastructure, maintain fair pricing, and improve accessibility. The programme aligns with broader goals, including improving air quality, reducing inequalities associated with poor air quality, and supporting economic growth. Despite challenges, Lambeth’s framework offers a scalable model for councils nationwide, helping more councils to help more people.

The Albion Place Bus Hub and Urban Park, delivered by the long-term maintenance partnership of Southampton City Council and Balfour Beatty, delivers an exceptional and high-specification project which has elevated an outdated carpark into a sustainable travel hub and park, which is the first green space in our city's Old Town in 60 years and boasting a Biodiversity Net Gain of 90%. The scope of the project has transformed Portland Terrace, a central route which previously saw 2,000 vehicles per hour, into a bus/taxi/cycle only sustainable corridor which now sees a few as 10 cars per hour; providing a more reliable route for our city's free bus shuttle service for cruise passengers between Central Station and the ports. The newly constructed urban park, planted by the Council's City Services team, now holds 96m2 of wildflower turf, providing an excellent environment for pollinators, and 796 local florals, 821 shrubs, and 9 trees now add a pop of greenery and colour throughout the year, deliberately chosen for their representation of the city's colours of red and white. Saving 12.5 tonnes of carbon through innovate methods compared to usual building methods across our City Centre projects, and offsetting future carbon emissions through new green spaces and reductions in car journeys, we have created a new decarbonised corridor in the city centre and showcased our commitment to a Net Zero future.

Our 20mph De-Illumination Project was initiated in response to Newham Council’s commitment to addressing climate change and improving road safety, aligning with the borough’s broader sustainability and public health goals. Launched in 2023, this project is an integral component of Newham’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and carbon zero by 2050, while adopting an equity-driven approach that focuses on the co-benefits for its residents. The project is designed to reduce both energy consumption and road danger, aiming to improve public health and lower carbon footprint in line with the London Vision Zero initiative, which seeks to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from the London transport network by 2041. The 20mph De-Illumination Project builds on the changes introduced in the 2016 Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions which removed the requirement to illuminate signs in 20mph speed limit areas. The project combines the de-illumination of road signs with the implementation of a borough-wide 20mph speed limit, addressing both energy use and road safety. By removing redundant sign lighting and lowering speed limits, the project is expected to reduce footprint from electricity consumption and transport, delivering energy savings, carbon reductions, and enhanced road safety. A total of 2,641 signs will be de-illuminated, with estimated energy savings of 463,020 kWh per year, a reduction of 330 tonnes of CO2e annually, and financial savings of £155,000 per year. This initiative directly meets Newham’s Just Transition Plan targets by contributing to the borough’s efforts to create a safer and more sustainable transport.

Hackney’s Parking Services, recognised as London’s most effective borough in tackling climate change, is delivering a five-year Parking and Enforcement Plan (PEP) to improve air quality and promote sustainable travel. Developed with input from over 8,000 residents, the plan includes a phased 13-band charging structure, reducing financial strain while supporting low-income households. Key achievements include a 7% drop in high-polluting vehicles, a reduction in diesel permits, and over 1,000 cycle hangars installed, making cycling more accessible. With road transport responsible for a quarter of Hackney’s CO2 emissions and car ownership among the lowest in the country, the Council prioritised walking, cycling, and public transport to prevent a car-led recovery post-pandemic. Measures such as School Streets—now covering 84% of primary schools—have cut traffic and improved air quality, while short-stay parking sessions and visitor voucher sales have fallen significantly. Cleaner vehicles are also on the rise, with average emissions dropping from 143g/km to 136g/km. Challenges such as community engagement, policy acceptance, and financial concerns were addressed through inclusive outreach and transparent communication. The campaign demonstrates that ambitious policies can drive real change. Hackney is proving that local action can make a significant impact on decarbonisation, creating a greener, healthier borough that prioritises sustainability and social equity.

Haringey Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) projects exemplify transformative urban and highway planning aimed at the borough’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2041. Initiated in 2021 as part of the borough’s Walking and Cycling Action Plan, the three LTNs addressed long-standing concerns about traffic congestion, air pollution, and road danger. Covering 84km (19% of the borough’s road network), the project implemented temporary measures such as bollards and traffic signs across three key areas to reduce through-traffic, improve air quality, and promote active travel. The initiative yielded significant results. Traffic volumes within LTNs dropped by 58%, equating to 80,000 fewer vehicles daily, while collisions decreased by 34%, with a remarkable 56% reduction in the most deprived area, Bruce Grove West Green. Active travel increased, with 33% of residents walking more and 28% cycling more. A range of complementary projects, pedestrian crossings, School Streets and dockless bike hire supported this shift, recording 46,000 trips monthly within the three LTNs. Despite initial concerns, local businesses benefited from increased footfall and spending, reinforcing the “pedestrian-pound” principle. Comprehensive monitoring frameworks tracked traffic volumes, air quality and community feedback. Key challenges included, traffic displacement, and accessibility concerns. These were mitigated through transparent communication, exemptions for vulnerable groups, and iterative design improvements. In December 2024, Haringey Council endorsed making the LTNs permanent, positioning them as a pioneering model for sustainable urban living, community well-being and decarbonisation.

Essex County Council launched DigiGo, an innovative electric minibus service, to tackle transport emissions which account for 49% of the county's CO₂e output. The demand-responsive transport solution serves rural communities in the Braintree district and north-west Chelmsford areas, where traditional fixed-route buses often struggle with low occupancy. Launched in April 2022 with six electric vehicles, DigiGo operates seven days a week through the TravelEssex app, allowing users to book journeys on-demand or up to a week in advance. The service runs across two zones with strategic 'Connect Points' that enable seamless transitions between transport modes and access to key destinations. The zero-emission fleet charges at GRIDSERVE Braintree Electric Forecourt using sustainable energy, while smart routing technology optimises vehicle routes and groups passengers travelling to similar areas. This innovative approach maximises environmental benefits whilst maintaining service quality. To date, DigiGo has served 92,000 passengers and expanded its network west of Braintree to include Great Dunmow, Stebbing, Great Sailing and Great Canfield. The service has transformed access to healthcare facilities, educational institutions and employment centres, with 95% of bookings made through the app and a 96% five-star rating. Following its success, the service has been extended until March 2026, demonstrating how local authorities can deliver practical environmental solutions whilst improving transport access for rural communities. Future plans include expansion to more Essex communities and enhanced integration with local transport networks.