07/10/2026
Urgent Statement from New Path of Life CIC!!!!!!
New Path of Life - NPOL CIC is facing one of the most difficult situations in our ten-year history and we are urgently asking for help to protect the future of 21 vulnerable residents currently living within our supported accommodation.
For the past decade, New Path of Life has supported people across the Black Country who need somewhere safe and stable while they rebuild their lives. The people who come to us have different stories and circumstances.
Some have been referred through the Probation Service or homelessness services. Others have experienced domestic abuse, drug and alcohol dependency, rehabilitation or financial hardship. We also support people over the age of 50 and individuals who may struggle to maintain a tenancy or live safely and independently without additional stability and support.
These are people who are trying to move forward with their lives.
New Path of Life currently supports 21 residents across four HMO properties. Unfortunately, circumstances outside our control involving the properties and landlords have placed the future of this accommodation service at serious risk.
One of the landlords has advised us that, because of deteriorating health and personal circumstances, he intends to take his properties back and sell them. He is therefore unable to provide the longer-term leases New Path of Life would need to continue operating the service sustainably.
We are also facing difficulties with another landlord proposing a rent increase of a property we lease from them. This creates a significant challenge when many of the people living within our accommodation rely on DWP benefits and have very limited ability to absorb increased housing costs.
On 7th October we reached the point where, without another solution, arrangements have had to begin for the service to be wound down, with the properties expected to be returned to the landlord by 7 January 2027.
This is not something New Path of Life wants to happen.
We have informed residents of the situation and have reassured them that they will not simply be left without information or support.
There is no immediate change to their accommodation while the transition takes place, and we will continue to fulfil our responsibilities to residents and manage the properties appropriately.
We have spoken to each person individually and do everything reasonably possible to support them through what will understandably be an uncertain and worrying period.
However, time is now extremely limited.
We urgently need to hear from landlords, property owners or owners of suitable HMO properties who may be prepared to work with New Path of Life CIC.
Our priority is to identify suitable safe alternative accommodation that would allow us to continue providing a safe environment and the support network our residents currently depend upon.
Where residents do have to move, we would particularly like to explore opportunities for some of them to be rehoused together.
Moving vulnerable people into completely separate situations risks removing the stability, relationships and support that have helped them make progress.
We are also asking Dudley and Sandwell Councils, their housing teams and Housing Portfolio Holders, local councillors, MPs, housing associations, homelessness organisations and other relevant agencies to come around the table with us urgently and explore what can be done.
For ten years, New Path of Life has worked to give people another opportunity when they have faced some of the hardest periods of their lives.
We have seen people regain confidence, overcome addiction, rebuild relationships, move towards independence and begin believing in their future again.
This work has continued despite the challenges faced by a small community organisation with no funding from the local council or outside sponsors.
New Path of Life's contribution has also recently been recognised through a nomination for The King's Award for Voluntary Service, although we are still awaiting the outcome.
We do not want ten years of work to disappear because the properties from which the service operates are no longer available.
More importantly, we do not want to see people who have worked hard to rebuild their lives to lose the stability they have achieved.
We are not looking to blame anyone. Circumstances have changed and we recognise the difficult position of the landlords involved. What matters now is finding a solution.
If you are a landlord, HMO owner, property owner, housing association, councillor, MP, housing officer, community organisation or anyone else who believes they may be able to help, we urgently ask you to contact New Path of Life CIC.
You may not have a property yourself, but you may know somebody who does. You may be able to make an introduction, identify suitable accommodation, bring the right organisations together or help us find another way forward.
With the properties expected to be returned by 7 January 2027, every week now matters.
Please help us protect the progress of these 21 residents that have made and give New Path of Life the opportunity to continue the work it has carried out for the past ten years.
Thank You.
Rosslynne Lewis
Director
New Path of Life CIC
please email : [email protected] if you can help
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