Hodge Jones & Allen partners with charity to help homeless people find housing
updated on 13 January 2016
London-based law firm Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) has partnered with the charity Pathway, a homeless healthcare service, to provide legal assistance to homeless patients as they seek accommodation after being discharged from hospital.
HJA has long been known for its commitment to social justice, civil liberties and helping the less fortunate in society, and its partnership with Pathway continues the firm’s proud tradition. Pathway liaises with social workers, mental health professionals, housing officers and local charities to help homeless people get off the streets on leaving hospital, and can now add formal access to specialist legal advice from HJA’s housing team to its support network. The charity has been receiving pro bono advice from the firm at weekly multi-disciplinary meetings, but a three-year grant from Trust for London has ensured that the relationship can grow closer.
Alex Bax, chief executive of Pathway, commented: “I am delighted to launch this new partnership with HJA. This is the first time homeless patients have been offered legal advice during their care, helping them to recognise the options open to them as they recover. As the work builds up we will be monitoring what this does for individual patients, and work with HJA to see what general lessons we can learn about the way the law impacts on the lives of sick homeless people.”
Ed Veale, housing solicitor at HJA, said: “It is a privilege for HJA to partner with Pathway in such a unique way. We have been very impressed with Pathway’s commitment to the long-term welfare of their patients after they have been discharged from hospital. With our housing team providing in-depth legal advice to the Pathway team, we look forward to ensuring that the housing rights of some of the most vulnerable people in London are upheld. Pathway’s approach in providing holistic support to their patients is brilliant, and we are thrilled to be able to play a key role in their ongoing work.”
