ProxyAddress provides council‑issued, free duplicate addresses drawn from vacant properties, giving people experiencing homelessness a stable, portable proof‑of‑address. The address stays linked to the individual rather than a location, enabling access to banking, benefits, postal services, healthcare, and employment while complying with FCA anti‑fraud and GDPR standards.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
People experiencing homelessness often lose their official address, which in the UK serves as a de facto form of identity. Without a stable address they cannot open bank accounts, receive mail, access benefits, register with a GP, or apply for jobs, creating a catch‑22 that deepens exclusion.
Solution
ProxyAddress addresses this gap by allocating a duplicated address from existing vacant properties to individuals who lack a permanent residence. The service is provided through local councils at no cost to the user, allowing the address to remain attached to the person regardless of future moves. By acting as a stable point of contact, the ProxyAddress enables users to meet proof‑of‑address requirements for banking, government benefits, postal services, healthcare, and employment. The system leverages a pool of long‑term empty homes and partner‑donated addresses, ensuring a scalable supply without requiring new housing. Operating within the FCA’s regulatory sandbox, the solution complies with anti‑fraud and data‑protection standards, offering a secure and privacy‑preserving gateway to essential services.
Target Audience
Primary users are individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the UK, and the local councils and social service agencies that support them.
Features
- Duplication of existing property addresses to create a free, portable proof‑of‑address for users
- Council‑issued allocation ensures no cost to the individual and integrates with local homelessness support frameworks
- Address remains linked to the person, not the physical location, allowing continuity across moves
- Utilises a database of long‑term vacant homes and partner‑donated addresses to provide a scalable supply
- Designed to meet FCA anti‑fraud regulations and GDPR compliance, with certified security standards
- Enables access to banking, benefits, postal services, GP registration, library use, and job applications
- Provides a privacy‑focused gateway that masks the underlying vacant property while presenting a stable address to external parties