New city housing venture to help the homeless

The St George’s Crypt Development Company will provide homes and community facilities for homeless and disadvantaged people across Leeds.

The board of directors of the new venture is made up of some of the city’s leading property and construction experts, making the most of their expertise in housing, design and support.

The company’s directors include Mark Henderson, from Brewster Bye Architects; Jonathan Morgan from city living specialists Morgans; renowned quantity surveyor and project manager Richard Cavadino; Joel Owen from The Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Maggie Gjessing, executive regeneration manager at Leeds City Council and the Reverend Jonathan Clark, from St George’s Church.

The first site that St George’s Crypt Development Company plans to develop is located next to Saint Hilda’s Church in Cross Green. It will offer 20 homes as well as a range of community facilities.

The company is also hoping to redevelop and expand a hostel on Regent Terrace in Headingley, which currently offers accommodation for 10 men, who are dependent on alcohol.

Mark Henderson explained: “As a company, we have a longstanding relationship with St George’s Crypt, which was forged by Brewster Bye’s co-founder, the late David Bye.

“Over the last 20 years we have worked with the charity on a pro bono basis on a wide range of highly successful projects and it’s great to be taking it to the next level by launching this development company.”

Property expert Jonathan Morgan added: “This company has been set up to build on the great work that The Crypt already does in supporting the homeless in Leeds.

“The objective of St George’s Supported Living is to provide safe, managed homes for clients of The Crypt as they leave their addictions behind and work towards independence.

“The sites in Cross Green and Headingley both offer great potential and we are already considering several other sites across the city.”

Martin Patterson from St George’s Crypt, said: “This exciting project will enable us to significantly expand the work that St George’s Crypt already does in Leeds.

“We are absolutely delighted to have such an experienced team on board who will all contribute towards ensuring our developments will be a success as well as providing inspirational environments for our residents to make positive changes in their lives.”

St George’s Crypt is based within the thriving church of St George’s in Leeds and has been at the frontline of support for homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Leeds and its surrounding areas for 85 years, since it was established in 1930.