Guaranteed Rent with Purpose: What the Apex SleepOut Reminded Us About Why Housing Matters

GUARANTEED RENT WITH PURPOSE

Last week, members of the Apex team took part in a SleepOut in London to help raise funds and awareness for Centrepoint, a charity supporting young people facing homelessness across the UK.

For one night, we swapped warm beds for the cold, wet pavement. It was uncomfortable and tiring, but that was the point. The aim was never to replicate homelessness, but to pause, listen, and better understand the reality faced by thousands of young people across the UK.

Guaranteed Rent Is About More Than Property - It’s About People

Throughout the evening, we took part in activities and heard first-hand accounts from young people who had experienced homelessness. One moment in particular stood out.

“One of the biggest takeaways for me was listening to real-life phone calls from young people making that first call for help. It was a stark reminder that behind every person we house, there is a real story. In most cases, they are in that position through no fault of their own. Often, they don’t need fixing — they just need people to be there for them.” - Adam Green, Head of Lettings, Apex Housing Solutions

Those calls cut through statistics, policies, and headlines. They were raw, emotional, and difficult to listen to at times, but they reinforced something we see every day in our work: homelessness is not a lifestyle choice. It is usually the result of circumstances spiraling beyond someone’s control.

Why Guaranteed Rent and Council Housing Still Matter

At Apex, we work closely with local authority partners to provide guaranteed rent housing solutions for people in urgent need. Many of the landlords we work with choose to rent their property to the council, providing safe, stable accommodation for individuals and families at a point of crisis.

Guaranteed rent offers landlords certainty and long-term stability, but its wider value is often overlooked. Every property brought into a guaranteed rent scheme represents a real opportunity for someone to regain stability, dignity, and time to rebuild their life.

Events like this SleepOut reinforce why that matters. Behind every referral we receive from a local authority partner is a person, not a case file. Our responsibility goes beyond housing delivery - it’s about consistency, care, and doing the right thing when it matters most.

A Collective Effort That Makes a Real Difference

We were proud to be part of a much wider collective effort that raised over £93,000 on the night to support Centrepoint’s work with vulnerable young people.

Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, or helped spread the word. Your generosity directly supports young people who need someone to be there for them. If you are able to donate, there is still time to support this vital cause.