Good Place Lettings brings Homes for Good’s model to London

On Wednesday, 22 October, Good Place Lettings (GPL) welcomed friends, partners, supporters and colleagues to Euston's Impact Hub for its official launch.

The event marked a milestone for GPL – a joint venture between Crisis and Homes for Good and proudly funded by Lloyds Banking Group and The National Lottery Community Fund.

GPL’s mission is to help people experiencing homelessness and those on low incomes to find comfortable, affordable homes in London.

Fuelling Housing Change in London

The evening was not only a celebration but a chance for guests to learn more about the housing and homelessness crises facing the capital and how GPL’s socially driven model can fuel real change for Londoners.

During the event, GPL shared stories from current landlords and tenants across London – proof that GPL’s approach is already having an impact.

Jasmine Basran, Head of Campaigns and Policy at Crisis; Ben Rayner, Director of GPL; Susan Aktemel, founding board member of GPL; Matt Downie, founding board member of GPL; Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley; Independent Board Chair of Good Place Lettings, Richard Donnell

In his keynote speech, Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, shared a staggering statistic: one in 21 children in London is homeless and living in temporary accommodation – the equivalent of one child in every London classroom.

Jasmine Basran, head of campaigns and policy at Crisis, expanded on the scale of the crisis, revealing that around 170,000 Londoners, including 90,000 children, sleep in temporary accommodation each night. Last year, some 13,000 people slept rough on London's streets.

Despite these stark figures, the mood was positive, celebrating a new, ethical approach to London’s private rented sector – one rooted in accountability, clear communication, transparent fees and tenancy support.

A New Journey

GPL founding board member, Susan Aktemel, spoke passionately about the shared values of Crisis and Homes for Good, which led to the creation of GPL: “We care about people getting homes, and we understand the potential for the private rented sector to create that supply, particularly for people who are experiencing homelessness. We know there's not enough social housing, so let's make the private rented sector work in the best way we can.”

A highlight of the event was the announcement by Matt Downie, another founding board member, that GPL had just housed its first Crisis member, enabling him to leave homelessness and move into his own home in north London. “He won't have to go through the nightmares of the normal route out of homelessness,” said Matt. “He’ll have a home of his own. And for the first time in nearly 60 years, Crisis is on a new journey because of what that wonderful landlord is doing and the example Susan has set.”

Calling All Good Landlords

Director of GPL, Ben Rayner, concluded the speeches with a call to action. “To everyone here tonight, I ask you to assist us with our mission to continue growing. We need to work with more good landlords.”

Find out more by visiting: www.goodplacelettings.co.uk