Coming from a family with a strong business background, Mario Carrozzo developed a flair for entrepreneurship by working in his father’s restaurant from a young age. Taking the plunge into property at the age of 18, he bought his first property and went on to develop his knowledge in the construction and housing industry. Having been forced to start from scratch more than once due to successive recessions, Mario now has 30 years of experience in property and uses his extensive knowledge to positively impact social change.
A Drive to Change Lives for the Better
In 2009, Mario helped a homeless person to escape a life on the streets by providing accommodation. However, he knew there was more that could be done, having seen the financial troubles faced by families and individuals as a result of a turbulent economy. When Caridon Property was founded in 2009, Mario launched one of the first rent guarantee schemes in London, providing affordable housing and support in the social sector and nominating himself as a guarantor for struggling tenants.
From humble beginnings, the Cairdon Property is now part of the Caridon Group: a multi-million pound property development and lettings company actively investing in property solutions and providing fairer housing to all. The company has expanded as a result and now includes the Caridon Foundation, Caridon Landlord Solutions and Caridon Young Living.
A Need to Provide More Social Housing
The shortfall in social housing is continuing to have a detrimental impact on the housing market. According to statistics from the ONS, almost 5,000 homes were demolished in 2019-20. The homelessness charity Crisis estimates that around 200,000 people were living on the streets in 2020, a figure that the government has attempted to address with schemes such as Everyone In. However, these measures have not gone far enough to meet the needs of vulnerable people.
The drive to improve the situation led to the formation of Caridon Property, which provides interim, permanent and emergency housing to those in need. Working in collaboration with local councils, the company has assisted hundreds of people and families to find a way out of homelessness.
Going the Extra Mile
The company also recognises that housing is only one piece of the puzzle and seeks to provide mental health support, vocational training and budgeting services. Tackling homelessness requires a well-rounded, holistic approach that enables individuals to find a long-term, permanent solution.
As CEO of the Caridon Group, Mario Carrozzo acknowledges that there is more work to be done in order to remove the stigma of social housing and funnel more investment into local communities. The staff at the Caridon Group will continue to bring their passion and drive to the housing market to make positive changes, providing settled housing options and supporting tenants in need.