A NORTH EAST company has launched a new venture aimed at helping ease the region’s housing crisis. 

Since launching in 2019, Middlesbrough-based Horizon has grown rapidly, building a portfolio of hundreds of properties across the North East. 

Now, after being approved as a temporary accommodation provider in 2025, the firm has launched Horizon Community Living, a community interest company designed to support both tenants and landlords by maintaining stable tenancies and removing barriers to housing.  

The ultimate goal, according to co-founder Denis Shail, is to reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation across the region and provide more stable homes.  

“The need for housing has never been greater, yet we are seeing a growing number of landlords leaving the sector due to tax changes and increased regulation,” added Denis. 

“Horizon Community Living creates a bridge between those challenges. 

“We take properties on long-term leases of around seven years, offering landlords a guaranteed, hands-off income with no rental arrears, whilst providing safe, supported accommodation for people who may struggle to access mainstream housing.” 

It comes as new stats show there are over 2,000 people currently on the housing waiting list in Middlesbrough alone – with approximately 10,000 enquiries for emergency housing in the North East in the past year. 

As such, Horizon focuses on supported accommodation, with tenants receiving ongoing help – such as lifestyle and budgeting support, health and well being and guidance to help them move towards independent living and even ownership. 

“A key goal is to remove some of the barriers tenants face when they don’t meet the criteria of larger housing providers or can’t secure a standard tenancy agreement via a letting agent,” added Denis. 

“We’re giving them the foundations to progress into private tenancies or even home ownership. 

“And it is helping people who often just need a fresh start  – be it care leavers, escaping domestic violence, anti-social neighbours or who have been made homeless through no fault of their own.” 

Having already delivered a high number of homes for temporary or supported accommodation, the company aims to keep growing over the next 12 months.  

“This will support work with local authorities across the region, but that’s reliant on professional landlords delivering high-quality properties that Horizon can take on lease,” added co-director Martin McManus. 

With Horizon working with local authorities across the region, the company – which employs over 20 staff  – has also developed in-house maintenance including gas safety engineers and compliance teams, allowing it to manage a growing number of properties efficiently.  

The proposition is underpinned by an agreement with a National Housing Association which means all properties are high quality and need to meet the Decent Homes Standard.  

Additionally, the company is growing a team of support workers to be out on the ground working alongside tenants, with Susan Stephenson – formerly of MIND – joining the team. 

“We’re working closely with councils and community partners, and we would encourage any organisation seeking supported housing provision to get in touch,” added Martin. 

“Equally, for landlords facing challenges in the current market, this offers a reliable, long-term solution while making a positive impact in the community.  

“We are specifically looking to work with property developers and letting agents across the region that can help us deliver the number of housing units needed. We have a big requirement for houses, flats and good quality en-suite HMOs for those tenants that want to live in a house share community.” 

For more information, visit https://www.horizoncic.co.uk/