Homelessness – overview of current and foundation issues Revd. Canon Paul Daltry Chair IWNS

What are our aims today? Increase confidence Information can allay fears A part of something much bigger than ourselves Building the Kingdom of God Awareness that it is about character as much as information

What is our route plan? 1.Introduction on Homelessness 2.Guidelines for Volunteers 3.Health and Addiction 4.Personal Safety 5.Questions

Housing Justice National organisation: Christian voice on housing and homelessness. Policy and campaigning role Practical support to churches + others involved in responding to homelessness Projects include: Faith in Affordable Housing, Mentoring and Befriending Homelessness Sunday (part of) Poverty and Homelessness Action Week

Homelessness definitions Most visible is Rough Sleeping Street count snapshots (2400 nationally in Autumn 2013) 1800 in 2010 Hidden Homeless sofa surfers, squatters etc. ½ million (Crisis) Homeless Families 81,000 Shelter 2012/13

Headline causes / effects Relationship, family breakdown Lack of resilience, coping skills Trauma, poor mental health Substances Institutions e.g. care, prison, armed forces Migration – from EU, rest of the world Shortage of affordable housing!

Street lifestyle? Complex needs Relationships Expression of non-conformity Rejection of society, materialistic values People find solidarity in shared adversity But.. no one starts off in life with the ambition to be homeless!

Church and homelessness Mission to serve all, especially people who are poor, suffering exclusion, injustice, discrimination Bringing holistic care Church linked Projects e.g. drop in centres, shelters, soup runs, advice, signposting Advocacy and action Healing Community not nimbyism

Hospitality and Hope We treat those who stay as our GUESTS

The End