Canopy Housing is the operating name of Canopy Housing Project Limited, a registered society and exempt charity based in Leeds, England.24 Its registered office is at 66 Burley Lodge Road in the Burley area of Leeds.48 The organisation was founded in 1998 and works primarily within Leeds.210
Canopy’s core activity is self-help housing for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.111 It brings empty or derelict properties back into use, working with homeless people, volunteers and other participants to renovate them into affordable homes.21 Participants can subsequently become tenants, while the organisation’s approach also provides opportunities to develop construction and employment-related skills.2
The organisation provides homes for both single people and families, with applications linked to the Leeds Homes allocation system.11 Its work combines housing provision with neighbourhood improvement, community support and practical training.2 Canopy also undertakes retrofit and repair work: during 2024, it rehoused two homeless households, trained almost 100 volunteers and self-helpers, began deep retrofits at eight existing homes, and completed major planned repairs at 21 properties.5
Canopy is a small housing provider with a limited number of properties, and vacancies generally arise only periodically.11 Its housing and community activities are therefore local rather than national or international in operational scope.111 The organisation’s chief executive is David Nugent, who has held the role since 2017.6 The 2024 board was chaired by Andrea Cowans, with Lyn Charters as secretary and Danielle Joy as treasurer.5