HOMELESSNESS SUNDAY 2006

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HOMELESSNESS SUNDAY 2006
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What is Homelessness Sunday?

• The opportunity to join with thousands of
  churches across the country in drawing attention
  to the devastating effects of homelessness.
  
• Through prayer and reflection, Homelessness
  Sunday offers an opportunity to listen to what
  God has to say about homelessness and to
  consider what action we are being called to take.

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Homelessness Sunday Self-Denial

• This year, Homelessness Sunday coincides with the
  beginning of our Self-Denial Appeal. While the
  rest of the church today focuses on homelessness
  in the UK, let us also remember those overseas
  who are in need. The Salvation Army is an
  international community working in 111 countries
  to alleviate poverty and suffering throughout the
  world.

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The Salvation Army Homelessness

• The Salvation Army runs more than 50 hostels in
  the UK and Ireland, providing around 3,000 beds
  per night.
  
• We are the largest provider of hostel
  accommodation in the UK.
  
• Our hostels not only provide the homeless with
  accommodation, but also the necessary training
  and support to help them move back into the
  community with a home, a job and a new life.

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The Salvation Army Homelessness

• Over 60 corps across the country work with the
  homeless, providing facilities such as drop-in,
  luncheon clubs and soup runs.
  
• Many of our own church members and volunteers
  play a major part in The Salvation Armys work
  with the homeless, giving up their time and
  talents to reach out to some of the most
  vulnerable people in the community.

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What is The Salvation Army doing to prevent
homelessness?

• In addition to our valuable work in centres, we
  are also actively involved in influencing
  Government. In September 2005, The Salvation Army
  launched A home for all?. This report focuses
  on seven specific areas of homelessness which we
  think need addressing.

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What is The Salvation Army doing to prevent
homelessness? (cont.)

• A home for all? was sent to all MPs and key
  policy makers in the country, as well as other
  agencies involved in homelessness. Feedback from
  MPs, local councils and other agencies has been
  very positive.
• The report was featured on BBC TV News, Sky News,
  Radio 5 Live, The Observer and many regional
  papers and radio stations.

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Seven Challenges to Government

• Rough Sleeping
• To provide an integrated response and high level
  of support to all rough sleepers
  
• Affordable move-on accommodation
• To ensure homeless people have access to
  affordable housing
  
• Substance misuse
• To ensure accurate assessment of substance misuse
  and access to services
  
• Asylum seekers
• To extend provision to ALL those in need

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Seven Challenges to Government (cont.)

• Criminalisation
• To review the impact of recent legislation on the
  ability of homeless people to receive the help
  they need
  
• Postcode Lottery
• To provide good-quality homelessness services
  right across the country
  
• Breaking the hostel model
• To review the Supporting People (funding)
  eligibility criteria

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Who are the faces of homelessness?

• Rough Sleeping
• The sense of relief to have a secure and dry
  place to lay my head was immense.
  
• Len, 36
• Salvation Army Centenary House

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Who are the faces of homelessness?

• Move-on accommodation
• I cant go back on the street but I cant go
  forward. I could never afford private rent. Its
  a vicious circle.
  
• Getu, 35
• Salvation Army Edward Alsop Court

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Who are the faces of homelessness?

• Substance misuse
• I never had many friends at school and started
  to think if I took a drink it would make me
  popular. Now Im an alcoholic.
  
• Andy, 29
• Salvation Army Fewster House Alcoholism Centre

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Who are the faces of homelessness?

• Asylum Seekers
• My appeals were turned down and a letter I
  received from the Home Office told me to prepare
  to leave the country. All benefits were stopped
  and I was made homeless.
• Moses, 26
• Darlington Salvation Army

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Who are the faces of homelessness?

• Postcode Lottery
• My life has been a roller-coaster ride, from
  academic distinction through settled married life
  and business success to surviving on the streets
  as a single homeless man for whom the system
  seems to be sadly lacking.
• Ian, 44
• Cornwall

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Who are the faces of homelessness?

• Breaking the hostel model
• Whilst on one of my drinking binges I realised
  that this situation could not continue.
  
• David, 47
• Salvation Army Lawley House

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Prayer Points

• Pray for homeless people both those who are
  rough sleeping and those who are accommodated by
  The Salvation Army and other homeless agencies.
  
• Pray for the Salvation Army staff and volunteers
  who work with the homeless.
  
• Pray for the people in government, both local and
  national, that they will strive to tackle
  homelessness and the causes of it.

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A home for all?Available to download
atwww.salvationarmy.org.uk/ahomeforall