Ludlow homelessness awards 2011 open for entries

London Councils is encouraging organisations working with the homeless to enter the annual Andy Ludlow Awards, which are now open for nominations.

Now in their 13th year, the awards celebrate innovation and good practice among organisations tackling homelessness in London. Social landlords, borough housing departments and health and voluntary organisations across the capital are all eligible to apply.

Housing directors at London’s local authorities established the awards in 1998 in memory of Andy Ludlow, former director of Housing and Social Services in the London Borough of Haringey, who died at a tragically young age.

Last year’s winner was the London Pathway, an organisation giving homeless people access to proper healthcare. The London Pathway has reduced hospital admissions of homeless people to University College Hospital by 3.2 days per patient, which equates to savings of £300,000 a year.
Since scooping the top prize at the awards, the London Pathway has gained wider recognition and is being rolled out to other hospitals later this year, both in London and outside.

The awards are funded by the London Housing Foundation, the Mayor of London, Shelter and all of the London boroughs. London Councils runs the awards on their behalf.

The outright winner will receive £25,000 with £10,000 going to two runners-up and £2,000 going to three shortlisted projects.

This year, to mark the 21st anniversary of the London Housing Foundation, a special award of £15,000 for the best use of volunteers is available to this year’s entrants and past shortlisted/winners of the Andy Ludlow Award.

London Councils executive member for housing, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations working with the homeless to get a financial boost to help them take their services to the next level.

“We ask all organisations helping the capital’s homeless, whether they be local authorities, part of the NHS or voluntary groups, to take the time to apply for these prestigious awards”.

Don Wood, chairman of London Housing Foundation commented:
“Over the years we’ve seen the Ludlow Awards benefit a great many deserving organisations, and this year the London Housing Foundation has brought another award to the table.

“In celebration of our 21st anniversary, we are offering an extra prize of £15,000 - open not just to this year’s entrants, but also to past winners and shortlisted groups. We wish all entrants the very best of luck.”

The closing date for entries is 12pm on Tuesday 10 May 2011.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 20 October 2011.

Any organisation wanting to find out more about the awards or to apply can go to http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/housing/homelessness/and...