Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal visited two services on Friday (9 May 2025) providing supported housing for people who have experienced homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Kirklees.
Harpreet Uppal was invited by Horton Housing to meet tenants and colleagues from their Horton Intervention and Prevention Service (HIPS) and Substance, Tenancy and Resettlement Service (STARS) to find out more about what both services provide.
Horton Intervention and Prevention Service (HIPS) provides accommodation and strengths-based support for people in Kirklees who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HIPS is part of an alliance of organisations, known collectively as the Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership (KBOP), who work together to support people in the district.
Horton’s Substance, Tenancy and Resettlement Service (STARS) provides accommodation and support for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and who need support to address a range of challenges.
Both HIPS and STARS are commissioned by Kirklees Council.
Harpreet Uppal met Horton colleagues and spoke to service participants about their experiences.
She said: “I was truly grateful for the opportunity to visit Horton Housing, where I had the chance to meet several individuals who have been supported by their services. Their stories were nothing short of inspirational. With the support of Horton Housing, and through their own resilience, they’ve been able to turn their lives around.
It was incredibly valuable for me to witness this first-hand, as it allows me to share these powerful experiences with colleagues in Parliament.
I remain committed to doing all I can to support the supported housing sector.”
Services Director Ann Kendall from Horton Housing said: “We were delighted to welcome Harpreet Uppal MP and share how our HIPS and STARS services support individuals in building their independence and achieving their goals in housing, health, wellbeing, and employment. Providing safe and supportive homes is essential in helping people move forward from the challenges they face.”
Sarah Cooke, KBOP Director said: “We were delighted to welcome Harpreet Uppal MP in partnership with Horton Housing – a valued partner of the Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership (KBOP). KBOP is a collaboration of organisations tackling and preventing homelessness by tailoring its support to the unique challenges and strengths of everyone it serves.
“By focusing on personalised outcomes and working in partnership, Horton and KBOP are able to provide the safe, stable, affordable housing that is vital in enabling the long-term independence of those who are struggling – and the strengths-based support to empower them to make lasting, positive change in their own lives.”
One of the service participants (Mark) who attended the MP’s visit, shared his experience of STARS:
“When I was released from prison, I had nowhere to live. I had to rely on the good will of my sister to let me stay at hers. It was not ideal or big enough for me to be there, so my probation officer referred me to STARS in Kirklees, and I was accepted and moved into a house within days. This was brilliant as I had not had my own place for a long time. I had a support worker that came to see me three times a week, and we worked through a lot of the challenges I had over the next two years together.
“I am proud to say that I now have my own place, and I don’t use drugs anymore and rarely drink – this has also reduced my offending. I saved up to purchase my own belongings for my new flat and I can manage my money much better, even saving a little. The support was brilliant.”
Horton Housing Association specialises in providing high quality housing, training and support for people in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and North Yorkshire.
