The award, presented at a glittering awards ceremony on 19 March 2026 at the Library of Birmingham, recognises partnerships that demonstrate effective collaboration between public bodies and private sector organisations to deliver tangible outcomes. The Active Opportunities Pathway was selected following a highly competitive shortlist of established cross sector partnerships.

The Active Opportunities Pathway is The Housing Network’s supported housing model, designed to help people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage move from crisis to opportunity. The model brings together housing, trauma informed support and property management within a single coordinated pathway, enabling partners to provide the right home, the right support and the right level of stability at the right time.

Operating across a range of settings, including micro hostels, HMOs and dispersed homes, AOP supports people with complex needs such as repeat homelessness, rough sleeping, mental ill health, substance use and offending histories. The pathway is structured around different stages, including emergency access, stabilisation, recovery and move on, with a strong focus on psychologically informed environments and tenancy sustainment.

Judges highlighted the Active Opportunities Pathway for its ability to turn partnership working into practical delivery, aligning local authorities, housing providers, support agencies and private sector partners around a shared model that improves outcomes while reducing reliance on unsuitable temporary accommodation.

Marc Goodkind, managing director of The Housing Network, said: “This award recognises the impact of the Active Opportunities Pathway and the partners who make it work every day. AOP is about creating real opportunities for people who have often been failed by fragmented systems.

“By bringing housing, support and partnership working together into a single pathway, we help people move forward in a way that is realistic, dignified and sustainable.”

The People in Housing Awards were launched in 2026 to celebrate individuals, teams and organisations making a positive difference across the housing sector. The Public Private Partnership of the Year award recognises collaborative models that address complex challenges through effective partnership delivery.