Former refugee and CEO & founder of refugee and migrant housing provider, ACH, Fuad Mahamed, has been named Housing Provider Inspirational Leader of the Year at this year’s Housing Heroes Awards.
There’s only a week left to enter Housing Executive’s own awards night, with a number of different categories also looking to celebrate the leaders and teams that define the sector. If Fuad’s nomination has got you thinking about your own organisation, head to our website to find our awards categories and entry form here.
The national award recognises exceptional leadership within the housing sector and celebrates individuals, who are delivering meaningful change for residents, communities and organisations.
Founded by Fuad in 2008, ACH has grown into one of the UK’s leading providers of housing, integration and employment support services for refugees, migrants and individuals facing multiple barriers to opportunity. Under his leadership, the organisation has expanded its reach across the UK, supporting hundreds of people to secure safe accommodation, access employment and build independent lives.
ACH now delivers supported housing and integration services across multiple local authority areas and works with partners across housing, employment, health and community sectors to help people move from crisis towards long-term stability and independence.
Commenting on the award, Fuad says: “To receive this recognition is a tremendous honour. The award reflects the dedication, expertise and compassion of the entire ACH team, as well as the resilience and determination of the people we support every day.
“At ACH, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a safe, secure and fulfilling future. Housing is a critical foundation, but it is only part of the journey. By combining accommodation with employment, skills and integration support, we help people rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and grateful to our colleagues, partners and residents, who continue to make ACH’s mission possible.”
The award comes off the back of ACH reporting that the last 12 months have been its most impactful yet. Thanks to ACH, more than 1,500 refugees and migrants have been helped to rebuild their lives by being provided with somewhere to live and wider training support. And last month, ACH was awarded more than £70,000 in Government funding to pilot a new engagement model aimed at tackling the barriers preventing refugees from speaking up about social housing.
The Housing Heroes Awards celebrate the leaders, innovators and changemakers making a difference across the UK’s housing sector. Fuad’s award recognises both his personal contribution and ACH’s growing influence in demonstrating how housing providers can support some of the most marginalised people in society to thrive.
