Briefing: Homelessness and Housing

Charitable Trusts West Midlands is holding a briefing session on homelessness and housing in the West Midlands. The purpose of the event is for funders to"

• learn more about current trends, causes of homelessness and issues;
• understand some of the challenges in tackling homelessness;
• Discuss strategic approaches to tackling homelessness and what works and why, and
• Share experience between funders and those working in the field of homelessness and housing

Welfare cuts and changes have left a growing number of people struggling to keep a roof over their heads. There is evidence that people face hardship because of welfare sanctions; being unable to find a home on housing benefit; or being forced out of their local area. Combined with the housing crisis that sucessive governments have failed to tackle, these issues are taking its toll on people's lives.

National figures on statutory homelessness does not reflect the real picture of homelessness. The way local authorities manage homelessness hide the real picture as well as the lack of official figures on non statutory homelessness. Estimates of rough sleepers nationally show continued growth as well as hidden homelessness (people sharing households and overcrowding). Researchers and those working in the field have seen a steep rise in the numbers of people facing - or at risk of - homelessness, a trend that has gone largely unnoticed by Government. If you're Trust support vulnerable groups at risk of homelessness or housing and homeless issues, then please do join us for the briefing.

Panel of Speakers:

Helen Mathie, Head of Policy, Homeless Link

Jean Templeton, Chief Executive St Basils, Birmingham

Pauline Roches, Chair, CTWM - will Chair the event.

To find out more go to CTWM website.