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House of Bread launches fresh appeal to help stop Stafford's homeless crisis - how you can help
By kirsty_james | Posted: November 16, 2016
House of Bread has launched a fresh fundraising effort to help extend its services to cope with the rising number of people finding themselves homeless.
Speaking exclusively to the Newsletter, HoB director William Morris said: "Currently at any one time there are about 16 rough sleepers in Stafford, with a further 30 vulnerably housed folk rough sleeping, sofa surfing or in tents.
"It's a situation that's been made worse with the removal of the Rough Sleepers contract back in March, the cancelled crisis Support Scheme last month and the pending closure of the Citizens Advice Bureaux advice line. Things are worse now than ever before."
He said many people did not realise that homelessness has also become "a middle class problem" which affects professionals. He said: "People would be surprised how quickly and easily things can spiral out of control."
Mr Morris said Stafford Borough Council will bid for funding through the government's new £40m homelessness prevention programme.
He added: "I'm hoping this will allow us to deliver some of the services which have been terminated."
HoB met police after it was told to stop handing out tents or face a £2,500 fine. Police felt a "tent community" had led to a number of complaints of drunkenness, and evidence of drug misuse.
Mr Morris said: "The meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis, Councillor Jeremy Pert, portfolio holder for community and Chief Inspector Jane Hewitt was interesting. One thing that did come out of that meeting was the agreed statement that 'Stafford has a homeless problem'. I feel it was a positive step forward and we can work together."
He said House of Bread is "busier than ever" and although the charity, which has been running for seven years, continues to be sustainable and successful, more funding is needed to help it cope with demand.
The charity has established a community development team to help set up fundraising events.
He said: "People have been giving money they would have spent on Christmas cards and things that are not necessities. Just £1 can help pay for a meal for a homeless person, £202.74 will pay our running costs for a day, £40 will allow our café in Browning Street to be open another day in the week."
To help, donate online at localgiving.org/charity/hob or text HOBS05 followed by the amount you wish to donate, including the £ symbol, and then send the text to 70070. You can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 by text.
By kirsty_james | Posted: November 16, 2016
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William Morris
House of Bread has launched a fresh fundraising effort to help extend its services to cope with the rising number of people finding themselves homeless.
Speaking exclusively to the Newsletter, HoB director William Morris said: "Currently at any one time there are about 16 rough sleepers in Stafford, with a further 30 vulnerably housed folk rough sleeping, sofa surfing or in tents.
"It's a situation that's been made worse with the removal of the Rough Sleepers contract back in March, the cancelled crisis Support Scheme last month and the pending closure of the Citizens Advice Bureaux advice line. Things are worse now than ever before."
He said many people did not realise that homelessness has also become "a middle class problem" which affects professionals. He said: "People would be surprised how quickly and easily things can spiral out of control."
Mr Morris said Stafford Borough Council will bid for funding through the government's new £40m homelessness prevention programme.
He added: "I'm hoping this will allow us to deliver some of the services which have been terminated."
HoB met police after it was told to stop handing out tents or face a £2,500 fine. Police felt a "tent community" had led to a number of complaints of drunkenness, and evidence of drug misuse.
Mr Morris said: "The meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis, Councillor Jeremy Pert, portfolio holder for community and Chief Inspector Jane Hewitt was interesting. One thing that did come out of that meeting was the agreed statement that 'Stafford has a homeless problem'. I feel it was a positive step forward and we can work together."
He said House of Bread is "busier than ever" and although the charity, which has been running for seven years, continues to be sustainable and successful, more funding is needed to help it cope with demand.
The charity has established a community development team to help set up fundraising events.
He said: "People have been giving money they would have spent on Christmas cards and things that are not necessities. Just £1 can help pay for a meal for a homeless person, £202.74 will pay our running costs for a day, £40 will allow our café in Browning Street to be open another day in the week."
To help, donate online at localgiving.org/charity/hob or text HOBS05 followed by the amount you wish to donate, including the £ symbol, and then send the text to 70070. You can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 by text.
