Surrey YMCA receives national recognition for its approach to homelessness
East Surrey YMCA's NextStep Program connects people who are struggling with private landlords.
East Surrey YMCA has received a national award for its approach to tackling homelessness in the local area.
Their NextStep program sets people who are struggling up with private landlords.
Jenny Hawes, who is the Housing Project Manager at YMCA East Surrey, told us they are getting more and more demand for their services
"Yes, absolutely. I think year on year there's an increase in homelessness and from last year there's a 12% increase in in homelessness.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the cost of living, rents that are going higher, lack of affordable accommodation and then government legislation, things like the Renters Rights Act, which is coming in on the 1st of May, all influence homelessness in this area."
Hawes adds however that the feedback they have had for their services has been incredible
"It's been brilliant. The tenants in particular, they will very often come back to us a few months down the line to just say the impact it's made on them, how they feel so much more in control of their lives, their general well-being, their mental health has been so much more positive.
They've managed to get their children into school or they've perhaps been able to return to work
And then from the landlord's point of view, they like the continuity that we provide them and the support and they know that if there is an issue that we're on hand to support them as well."
They received the award earlier this week and it was presented by TV presenter Richie Anderson. Hawes says that the fact they have received national recognition through this award is a significant boost for her and her team
"It's been massive for us. We work really hard in a competitive market and you know, just actually trying to get a roof over someone's head so they can rebuild their lives
So to actually have this bestowed upon us and so we're recognised it's a huge morale boost for the team because we can't help everybody that comes our way. So it can be, you know, it can be very difficult at times. So this has been a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate our success."
Jenny added that although it's good to celebrate now, she expects demand to get significantly more intense going into the festive period
"It's constant all year round. There's there's no lulls in it at all with with homelessness increasing all the time. But I think the pressure is more intense at Christmas time. People want somewhere to be secure.
They want somewhere that their children can actually call a home and do the things they would see most families are doing opening up the Christmas presents on Christmas morning and you know the weather obviously turns, so it's it's more intense.
So we work particularly hard just before the Christmas period to get as many people into housing at that point so that they're not in emergency."