Our statement on ‘Life on the streets - preventing and tackling rough sleeping’

Commenting on the publication today (20/04/18) of the ‘Life on the streets – preventing and tackling rough sleeping’ by the National Assembly for Wales’ Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, Major David Emery – The Salvation Army's Public Affairs Officer for Wales, said:

“The Salvation Army welcomes the publication today of the ‘Life on the streets – preventing and tackling rough sleeping’ report by the National Assembly for Wales’ Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. The report – which The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Support Unit contributed to when our team of experts gave evidence to the committee, is turning the spotlight firmly onto the growing problem of rough sleeping in modern Wales.

“Rough sleeping and homelessness are complicated issues and there are many reasons why people can find themselves in these situations including poverty; relationship and family breakdowns; unemployment and  ill health, and as such there cannot be a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to successfully tackling rough sleeping, homelessness and their causes.

“People who are sleeping rough are among the most vulnerable and hard to reach members of society and are often trapped in a vicious cycle.  With rough sleeping on the increase – as indicated by the committee’s report, it is perhaps more important than ever now that we are able to provide people who are sleeping on the streets of Wales with the tailored support they need  to break out of that cycle , to move off the streets and into settled accommodation.

“While we will never be able to say that rough sleeping has been eradicated in Wales – or indeed elsewhere, it’s clear that the only way we will get close to achieving that goal is a multi-agency strategic approach involving the expertise of organisations including The Salvation Army and other homelessness service providers, the Welsh Government and local authorities across the country.”