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Welcome to Changing Lives Housing Trust: Find help, support, and hope.
From our foundation to our future: Learn what drives us.
Become a Volunteer: Build Hope with Your Own Hands.
Our Work: Providing Housing, Delivering Support, Restoring Hope.
Start the Conversation. Let’s Build a Solution Together.
Committed to Excellence. We Value Your Feedback.
Welcome and meet our most skilled and loved team.
Connecting services. Changing lives.
Highlighting resilience. Celebrating recovery.
Highlighting resilience. Celebrating recovery.
Meet The Team
Dedicated professionals committed to changing lives through compassionate support and innovative housing solutions
The People Behind Our Mission
At Changing Lives Housing Trust, we believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. Our experienced team of professionals is dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to our residents.
We understand that each individual has unique needs and challenges, and we work closely with them to develop personalised plans to help them achieve their goals and thrive.
Our Board of Trustees
Changing Lives Housing Trust is governed by an experienced Board of Trustees who provide strategic oversight, ensure regulatory compliance, and safeguard our mission to end homelessness. Our trustees bring diverse expertise in finance, legal affairs, social housing, and governance, exercising fiduciary responsibility whilst championing our charitable objectives. They set organisational direction, monitor performance, and ensure accountability to our residents, funders, and the communities we serve.
To learn more about our Board of Trustees, contact us at info@clht.org
Our Leadership Team
Max Kawaters
Chief Executive Officer
For a decade, Max has steered Changing Lives Housing Trust to become London's foremost authority in combating homelessness. His acumen encompasses fiscal governance, ensuring unwavering financial resilience; juridical oversight, maintaining impeccable regulatory compliance; and institutional diplomacy, securing pivotal partnerships with authorities across Greenwich, Bexley, Dartford, Croydon, and Merton. His stewardship has catalysed transformative outcomes—innovative service paradigms, exemplary complaint resolution, and hundreds of lives restored to stability and autonomy. Max's leadership epitomises strategic excellence. He is CLHT's architect of change.
Wesley
Head of Income Officer
Wesley holds a crucial leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight of ensuring the maximisation of rent and service charge collection across our supported accommodation portfolio. He will lead the Income Team, implement robust arrears prevention and recovery strategies, and work sensitively with complex cases and benefit changes (like Universal Credit), upholding both the charity's income sustainability and its unwavering commitment to tenancy sustainment and client welfare.
Bethany
HR Manager
Bethany, as the HR Manager, is fundamental to maintaining the professional standards and supportive culture essential for a high-impact charity like Changing Lives Housing Trust. She is responsible for providing strategic and operational HR leadership, ensuring all employment practices comply with UK legislation and align with our mission. This involves managing the complete employee lifecycle, from recruitment, onboarding, and performance management to complex employee relations and succession planning. Bethany is instrumental in developing HR policies and procedures that promote staff wellbeing, continuous professional development for Project Workers and Managers, and a robust framework for safeguarding and compliance. Her expertise guarantees that our staff are properly supported, trained, and equipped to deliver life-changing support to our residents.
Team Support Leaders
Lemaire
Team Support Leader
Bobby
Team Support Leader
Vivian
Team Support Leader
Our Team Support Leaders occupy vital management positions, leading the daily operations and performance of Project Workers across Greenwich, Bexley, Dartford, Croydon, and Merton. These roles ensure the consistent, high-quality delivery of person-centred support and accommodation management, prioritising client safety, welfare, and positive move-on outcomes from homelessness. They effectively manage complex case escalations, maintain strong working relationships with local authority commissioners and partner agencies, and ensure all services comply with policy and regulatory standards. Each Team Support Leader brings dedicated expertise to their specific regions, coordinating frontline staff, overseeing property standards, and implementing best practices in support planning and risk management. Their collective leadership directly contributes to the charity's mission of changing lives through stable housing and comprehensive support, ensuring every resident receives individualised care tailored to their unique journey towards independence and long-term stability.
What Drives Our Team
Compassion First
We approach every interaction with empathy, respect, and genuine care for the wellbeing of those we support.
Collaborative Spirit
We work together as a team and partner with organisations across London to provide comprehensive support.
Excellence in Service
We're committed to continuous improvement and delivering the highest quality support to our residents.
Empowerment Focus
We believe in the potential of every individual and guide them towards independence and self-determination.
Stories of Hope
Real journeys of courage, resilience, and transformation
Changing Lives, One Story at a Time
Behind every person we support is a unique journey filled with challenges, courage, and hope. These are the stories of individuals who found refuge with us and rebuilt their lives with dignity and independence.
From Rough Sleeping to Independence
— Abraham Gebremariam
I arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker in May 2021 and was placed in Home Office accommodation in Lancaster. After being granted refugee status, I was asked to leave that accommodation, which sadly left me homeless and rough sleeping.
I moved to Manchester, but struggled to find a stable place to live. I then went to London, but still couldn't secure fixed accommodation. I ended up rough sleeping in Woolwich for 3 months.
Thankfully, St. Mungo's found me and referred me to Changing Lives Housing Trust (CLHT). I was assessed and accepted on 05 June 2023, and later moved on to private rented housing on 12 June 2025.
During my 2 years at CLHT's temporary accommodation, I received great support. I was helped to access education, healthcare, and other vital services. My Project Worker worked closely with me to make sure I attended ESOL classes, went to the Jobcentre, and understood the housing system.
I was also provided with essential items, which made my time in shared housing much easier and more comfortable.
CLHT supported me in getting my driving licence, which helped me find part-time delivery work. Eventually, they helped me access affordable private rented housing, where I now live independently.
Rebuilding a Life with Dignity
— Yousif Bilai
I arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker in June 2021 and stayed in several NASS accommodations while waiting for my immigration decision. In August 2023, I was granted leave to remain and had to leave NASS accommodation by October 2023. After that, I became homeless.
With support from St Mungo's, I was referred to Changing Lives Housing Trust. I faced challenges, including poor English and lack of stability, but my Project Worker helped me every step of the way. I was enrolled in ESOL classes to improve my English and guided through Jobcentre meetings, housing policies, and other support services.
Changing Lives also provided essentials for my shared accommodation, making it a comfortable place to live. They supported me in getting my driving licence, which helped me find part-time delivery work. Later, they helped me move into affordable private housing, and I'm now living independently.
Together, We're Making a Difference
Every Story Starts with Support
If you know someone in need of housing support, or if you'd like to help us create more stories like these, we're here to make it happen.
Our Partners
At Changing Lives Housing Trust, we work alongside a network of dedicated partners who share our commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. Together, we provide comprehensive services across London and beyond.
Homelessness & Support Services
999 Club 999 Club
The 999 Club provides day services, accommodation, and support for homeless and vulnerable people in Deptford and surrounding areas. They offer hot meals, showers, clothing, and a safe space for those in need.
Bench Outreach Bench Outreach
Bench Outreach works directly with rough sleepers, providing street-based support, essential supplies, and connections to accommodation and services. Their outreach teams operate across multiple London boroughs.
Hestia Hestia
Hestia supports adults and children affected by domestic abuse, modern slavery, and mental health challenges. They provide safe accommodation and specialist support services across London.
GrowTH GrowTH
GrowTH offers support and opportunities for personal development, helping individuals build confidence, skills, and independence to move forward in their lives.
No Second Night Out
This pan-London service ensures that anyone sleeping rough for the first time gets help immediately, preventing them from becoming entrenched in rough sleeping through rapid intervention and support.
St Martin-in-the-Fields St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin's provides vital support services for homeless people in Central London, including The Connection at St Martin's which offers day services, housing advice, and pathway support.
Thames Reach Thames Reach
Thames Reach delivers outreach, housing, and support services for homeless people across London. They work to end rough sleeping and help people rebuild their lives with dignity.
The Passage The Passage
The Passage provides homeless people with support, resources, and accommodation to help them transform their lives. They operate London's largest voluntary sector day center for homeless people.
The Salvation Army Croydon The Salvation Army Croydon
The Salvation Army provides accommodation, support services, and community programs for homeless and vulnerable people in Croydon, helping individuals move toward independent living.
Crisis Crisis
Crisis is the national charity for homeless people, offering year-round education, employment, housing, and well-being services, empowering people to build a better future.
St Mungo's St Mungo's
St Mungo's provides bed spaces and support for homeless people across London and the South of England, helping people recover from the issues that contribute to homelessness.
Homeless Link Homeless Link
Homeless Link is the national membership charity for frontline homelessness agencies and the wider housing sector, providing support, training, and advocacy to improve services.
Evolve Evolve
Evolve provides housing and support services, helping individuals develop life skills and independence while addressing the underlying causes of homelessness.
Greater Change Greater Change
Greater Change connects people who want to help with individuals experiencing homelessness, enabling donations to go directly toward essentials like rent deposits, work tools, and training courses.
Local Authority Partners
Merton Council London Borough of Merton
We work closely with Merton Council's housing and homelessness services to provide accommodation and support for vulnerable residents in the borough.
Bexley Council London Borough of Bexley
Our partnership with Bexley Council ensures coordinated support for homeless individuals and families, providing pathways to stable accommodation.
Dartford Council Dartford Borough Council
Working with Dartford Council, we deliver housing solutions and support services for vulnerable residents in the Dartford area.
Greenwich Council Royal Borough of Greenwich
Our collaboration with Greenwich Council supports homeless prevention and accommodation provision for residents across the borough.
Southwark Council London Borough of Southwark
We partner with Southwark Council to provide housing and wraparound support services for vulnerable individuals in the community.
Health & Justice Partners
Probation Services London Probation Service
We collaborate with London Probation Service to provide stable housing for individuals leaving the justice system, supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
SLAM South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM)
Our partnership with SLAM ensures that individuals with mental health needs receive coordinated housing and clinical support, promoting recovery and stability.