Cheshire plans for people on probation to build homes for the future

A forward-thinking partnership between Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner, Dan Price and the award winning Prisoners Building Homes programme has launched in Cheshire.

The partnership is designed to tackle two urgent national challenges at once: the housing shortage and reducing reoffending.

Lack of social housing is costing local councils almost £3billion a year in temporary accommodation nationwide whilst annual reoffending costs are around £20billion nationally.

Key players from Cheshire home builders, local authorities, probation and landowners took part in a workshop at Lion Salt Works in Northwich to discuss how they could tackle these issues and how the PBH Cheshire model could benefit their organisation. There, Dan Price set out ambitions for sites to be identified within 4 weeks and for the first set of homes to be built and the families moved in by this time next year.

In a UK first, Cheshire is adding to the PBH model. Traditionally, PBH has centred on providing employment opportunities for people who are, or have been, in prison. Cheshire is opening the door wider, providing opportunities to people on probation serving community orders who are already living in the community, job‑ready and eager to rebuild their lives.

The programme aims to boost the region’s construction workforce, strengthen rehabilitation and accelerate the delivery of affordable, low‑carbon homes.

A new approach for a national problem

Those on probation across the country often face barriers to steady work, one of the strongest factors in not re-offending, despite being motivated and ready to start again. In Cheshire alone, around 3,000 people are under probation supervision, many actively seeking employment and stability.

The construction sector is increasingly under strain. With labour shortages intensifying and a national target of 1.5 million new homes*, the industry urgently needs new, reliable talent. Those on probation represent a ready, motivated and loyal workforce.

PBH brings together housebuilders, prisons, probation services and landowners to create high‑quality, low‑carbon homes for local communities. These homes help ease the UK’s mounting housing pressures, while providing a real‑world training ground for participants.

The PBH model provides:

• Paid employment from day one
• Accredited construction training
• A recognised route into long-term work
• A practical way to reduce reoffending and build safer communities

The Cheshire PBH programme adds to Dan Price’s existing work to get the county’s ex-offenders into meaningful employment through his Fresh Start initiative.

Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“This partnership represents a powerful opportunity for Cheshire. By opening the door to people on probation who are ready to work, we’re strengthening our communities, accelerating the delivery of affordable homes and giving individuals a real chance to rebuild their lives.

“This is exactly the kind of innovation that makes Cheshire safer, fairer and more resilient for the future.”

Sophie Baker, Director, Prisoners Building Homes Programme said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire to unlock small sites and deliver much-needed affordable homes for local communities. This initiative not only increases housing supply, but also creates employment opportunities, reduces reoffending and helps build stronger, more resilient communities.

“We are also pleased to pilot an extension of our existing support programme for people in custody and those post-release. This expanded offer will include individuals on probation subject to community orders, providing early intervention to help prevent escalation of offending and reduce the likelihood of custody.”

Reducing re-offending is a key method to tackle crime in Cheshire. This initiative will work closely with the Fresh Start programme which helps ex-offenders gain meaningful, long-term employment.

More information here:

www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk

PBH is a national award-winning programme that turns overlooked public land into affordable homes for people in greatest need, while giving second chances to people in prison or on probation who are furthest from the labour market, helping them build skills, reducing reoffending, and addressing a critical skills gap in the construction industry.

The result: homes delivered where they’re needed most, people gaining confidence and work, and reoffending reduced - unlocking opportunity, transforming lives, and strengthening communities.

More information:

https://www.pbh.org.uk/

Pictured - Dan Price taking part in PBH workshop.