About Us
Our Mission
Everyone, regardless of circumstances, should have a fundamental right to a place of shelter, and help to rebuild their life. We are an independent charity that provides accommodation with support to people who are homeless or are about to become homeless.
DASH has been making a positive intervention on single homelessness since 1972. We do this through our Charitable Objectives which are:
- The provision of charitable social housing.
- To promote the care, education and training of people with a mental or physical disability
DASH can accommodate people on short-term agreements in a variety of properties across County Durham including in shared or single flats and houses. For those ready to manage a permanent tenancy, we also provide housing through our social housing arm, Kepier Homes. Our aim is to provide a supportive and stable environment to give people the best chance of addressing the problems that caused their homelessness issues and give people the opportunity to move into independence.
Customer testimonials
“The staff have been excellent, I can’t give them enough praise, you’ve been very kind and helpful, thank you”
“If it hadn’t been for DASH I’d be on the streets or in hospital. DASH has provided me with a safe and secure home where I’m happy. Staff help me with everything, my benefits, my finances, my doctor and hospital appointments. I can’t do these on my own because of my mental health”
Our History
Established in 1972 as Durham Cyrenians, DASH began by providing short-stay accommodation for single homeless men, initially supported by volunteers. By the mid-1980s, the organisation transitioned to professional staff due to recruitment challenges and changing homelessness needs.
Renamed Durham Action on Single Housing (DASH) in 1988, the organisation expanded from shared accommodation to purchasing and leasing properties for housing from 2002, which is now our Orion and Harry Mears House supported housing services. In 2006, DASH opened the Churchill Square Emergency Accommodation scheme, later repurposed to provide 24/7 accommodation and intensive support to women with life controlling issues and multiple disadvantages. This is now our Aurora Project. In 2024, DASH launched Luca, a pilot project providing high quality accommodation and specialist support to people who are discharged from hospital and are at risk of being homeless.
Today, DASH provides housing for over 50 single people with a range of support needs. We also offer a floating support service to help people maintain their tenancies and signpost them to the right help to achieve stability and independence.
With 50 years of experience and supported by 41 staff, DASH remains dedicated to helping single homeless people achieve independence and stability, and the security of having a place to call home.
Organisational Structure
