Homeless charities in Suffolk are preparing for higher demands as the seasons shift
The demand is predicted to increase as the years go on
Last updated 7th Nov 2023
As the seasons shift, homeless charities in Suffolk are preparing for higher demand.
The Crisis Report on Homelessness Projections: Core Homelessness in Great Britain predicted that the labour market and economy alongside the current policy will lead to a 238% increase in rough sleeping between 2016 and 2036.
We spoke to Matt Garrod from The Benjamin Foundation.
The Benjamin Foundation accommodates almost 200 young people each night in Norfolk and Suffolk, equating to over 50,000 safe nights a year for local young people to feel safe from youth homelessness.
Why is there an increase in demand?
Matt told us he believes the cost of living crisis is having a large impact as well as the consequences of the pandemic, and that it "left a really lousy legacy in terms of young people's mental health. "
He also believes "spiralling property costs and house prices" and "increased rents" are impacting people.
He went on to say, all of these things combined help to create "a perfect storm"
"There's a whole number of contributing factors that really suggest this issue, this challenge that we have around youth homelessness isn't going to be going away anytime soon, unfortunately."
Their plans for Winter
We asked Matt how the Benjamin Foundation is preparing ahead of winter. He told us they work closely with "relevant local authorities... and other organisations" to contribute provisions and help support people in these circumstances.
Matt acknowledges how challenging Winter can be.
"It's very difficult to comprehend how people can potentially sleep out on the streets as they have to in those extreme conditions."
He went on to say the primary goal is always providing young people with appropriate and warm accommodation, but will also supply a young person with a sleeping bag which is often "hugely valued by the individual recipient of that."