Homelessness charities in Norfolk and Suffolk prepare for extra demand over winter

The Crisis report on Homelessness in the UK predicts that rough sleeping will increase by over 200% by 2036

Published 16th Oct 2023
Last updated 16th Oct 2023

As the colder months rapidly approach, homeless charities in Norfolk and Suffolk are preparing to face high demand.

It's as the Crisis report on Homelessness in the UK predicts that rough sleeping will increase by over 200% by 2036.

We spoke to Matt Garrod from The Benjamin Foundation, which 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, saying 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."

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