Salvation Army calls on mayoral candidate to support homelessness initiatives

In light of the recent budget, The Salvation Army has highlighted the importance of homelessness funding with a visit from the Conservative mayoral candidate for London on Friday.

The church and charity hosted mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith at its Number 10 homelessness drop-in centre on Princes Street, London. The drop-in runs throughout each week, providing a warm meal, support and a safe space for vulnerable people and rough sleepers in Central London.

Here he was taken on a tour of the drop-in and a discussion took place between clients of Number 10 and representatives of The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services Unit, where The Salvation Army raised its concerns about the importance of retaining funding in this area.

Dr Helen Cameron, Head of Public Affairs for The Salvation Army, said:

“People are telling us it is difficult to find suitable move-on accommodation after they leave a hostel. When people end up back on the streets it is because the follow-on accommodation has been of poor quality or difficult to find. This can hamper the progress people have made while in our hostels.

‘While the additional 2000 places announced are very much needed and welcome it is important to recognise that it takes more than a roof over your head to solve this problem. People who have experienced rough sleeping need adequate support to build their lives.

‘We hope that the Government’s review into homelessness accommodation currently under way can secure the funding needed to enable people to change their lives for the better, and we hope that Zac Goldsmith and the other mayoral candidates will consider people experiencing homelessness as they campaign.”

The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of homelessness services in the United Kingdom.