A campaign has been launched to prevent homelessness this winter against a background of rising unemployment.

No Going Back was launched by The Passage and Crisis, two British charities who specialise in providing support to homeless people.

According to The Passage, the number of people seeking their help has doubled in the last few months alone. The charity is concerned that with government support being withdrawn for many people this month, we could soon see a spike in those unable to pay their rent.

According to research by University College London, hundreds of lives were saved after nearly 15,000 homeless people were moved into emergency accommodation at the start of the lockdown. The move was part of the government’s Everyone In scheme. The two charities are calling on the government to provide funding to local authorities in case the scheme is needed again in the event of a second lockdown.

The Passage and Crisis are encouraging people facing a housing crisis to know their rights, including five key tips and possible next steps they need to take.

Mick Clarke, Chief Executive of The Passage said:

We saw what can be achieved when there is the political will, a sense of urgency and partnership; there should be no going back to the shameful levels of street homelessness we have witnessed in recent times.

The campaign launch coincided with a joint letter from the two charities Chief Executives to Robert Jenrick MP, the government minister responsible for housing. The letter outlines how they can help the government build on the collaborative approach taken during the first wave of Covid-19.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis said:

Crisis is calling on Government to ensure that everyone facing homelessness can access safe, self-contained accommodation so that they have somewhere safe to stay in the pandemic.

Photo by The Passage

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