Many people in Gainsborough’s south-west ward have been living in poor-quality housing because of high deprivation levels and high dependence on remote private landlords. Tenancy churn and low availability of wraparound support to people housed by private landlords contributed to further instability. But a ten-year partnership between West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) and the ‘people first’ organisation P3, a charity, social enterprise and registered housing provider, is increasing the provision of affordable, high-quality, sustainable housing for Gainsborough’s communities in the greatest need. The partnership has enabled P3 to lever millions of pounds of social investment to purchase homes, refurbish them and rent them. A new, impact-focused lettings policy has been developed to let them. The initiative has reduced exploitation by private landlords, increased access to homes at affordable rents and will support other community initiatives. The partnership was catalysed through a grant funding agreement which committed £1 million from WLDC, and the transfer of 11 properties to the charity. P3 also raised £4 million in social investment to purchase homes and refurbish them to a high standard. What next? Gainsborough Resident Vanessa contributed a powerful chapter about how this has transformed her life to our book, Vitalising Purpose. Read it here. • How can we scale up this kind of innovation and create more effective, responsive, and sustainable people-focused public services? Read our January 2026 report. • More case studies of social enterprise innovation
Many people in Gainsborough’s south-west ward have been living in poor-quality housing because of high deprivation levels and high dependence on remote private landlords. Tenancy churn and low availability of wraparound support to people housed by private landlords contributed to further instability. But a ten-year partnership between West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) and the ‘people first’ organisation P3, a charity, social enterprise and registered housing provider, is increasing the provision of affordable, high-quality, sustainable housing for Gainsborough’s communities in the greatest need. The partnership has enabled P3 to lever millions of pounds of social investment to purchase homes, refurbish them and rent them. A new, impact-focused lettings policy has been developed to let them. The initiative has reduced exploitation by private landlords, increased access to homes at affordable rents and will support other community initiatives. The partnership was catalysed through a grant funding agreement which committed £1 million from WLDC, and the transfer of 11 properties to the charity. P3 also raised £4 million in social investment to purchase homes and refurbish them to a high standard. What next? Gainsborough Resident Vanessa contributed a powerful chapter about how this has transformed her life to our book, Vitalising Purpose. Read it here. • How can we scale up this kind of innovation and create more effective, responsive, and sustainable people-focused public services? Read our January 2026 report. • More case studies of social enterprise innovation