A housing charity which has helped support people through homelessness for more than 50 years has been awarded the Freedom of the City (FOTC). 

St Martins Housing Trust was bestowed the honour at a special meeting on Tuesday evening, with councillors saying it holds a “unique place within the hearts and minds of Norwich people”. 

The trust provides hundreds of beds and homes to those in need, while also delivering education, training, psychological intervention and partnership work with other city organisations. 

The FOTC is normally given to people and organisations, in recognition of their contributions to Norwich, with previous recipients including sports stars, playwrights and artists. 

St Martins has grown dramatically in size since it was founded in a garage shed in the Cathedral Close half a century ago. 

Gail Harris, the deputy leader of the council, who proposed the honour, said: “Housing is one of the most critical bedrocks of a decent society. Pure and simple. 

“As we sit here tonight on a cold November evening we know that some of our fellow citizens are shamefully living on the street, rough sleeping.”

Ms Harris said Norwich was fortunate to have a “jewel in the crown” which will continue to work hard for the community until “we finally live in a decent society where no person faces homelessness”. 

The proposal to grant the honour received unanimous support from across the council chamber.

Colin Bland, chair of St Martins trustees, thanked the council for the honour.

He said: "St Martins has been around for 50 years and we know unfortunately that we will be around for a few more years to come."

It was the second FOTC ceremony this year, with the city authority having awarded the honour to Lviv and Odessa, two Ukrainian cities, and to the Very Rev Dr Jane Hedges,  the former dean of Norwich Cathedral, at a meeting in March.

The Ukrainian cities were awarded the honour as a message of unity, following the Russian invasion. 

 

What is the Freedom of the City? 

The honorary title dates back to the 13th century and is given to people or organisations who have contributed to the city. 

Nominations can be made at any time, by anybody. 

Previous recipients have included: 

  • Ove Fundin, a Swedish speedway rider who won the world championships five times from 1951 to 70, while a rider for the Norwich Stars. He was awarded the FOTC in 2006, becoming only the second non-English person to be given the honour.
  • Colin Self, a Norfolk-born pop artist, whose work addressed Cold War politics.
  • Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury, for their contribution to the arts in Norwich through the Sainsbury Centre at the UEA.
  • Arthur Miller, American playwright, essayist and screenwriter whose works include Death of a Salesman. Awarded the FOTC for his contribution to the city and the UEA. 
  • Organisations including Anglia TV, Aviva, and Norwich City Football Club have also all received the honour.