People from across faith and community groups came together to act on rising homelessness in the West Midlands. The multi-faith conference took place in Walsall last Thursday to discuss practical solutions to the housing crisis and homelessness in the region.
The meeting heard from national and local experts on homelessness about potential ways churches, and faith and community groups can get involved in practical solutions. Topics for a series of workshops during the day included rough sleeping, asylum and refugees, mental health, domestic violence and substance abuse issues.
The event at St Pauls Church in Walsall was organised by Housing Justice, the ecumenical Christian homelessness charity, and Transforming Communities Together Lichfield, the joint venture between Church Urban Fund and the Church of Englands Diocese of Lichfield.
Speakers included the Right Revd Clive Gregory, the Bishop of Wolverhampton, and the new West Midlands Metro Mayor Andy Street.
Bishop Clive said: For many people there is no safety net anymore and often its the churches and faith groups that are de facto providing a safety net in terms of food provision, shelter and other forms of relational support. Were really keen to work with Andy in his new role and all elected politicians and statutory bodies to try and ensure a coordinated response to peoples needs; perhaps to try and ensure the recreation of a safety net or at least to do all we can for the sake of most vulnerable people in society.
Andy Street said: Ive given a clear commitment on becoming Mayor of the West Midlands that we will work together to improve the situation around homelessness and particularly rough sleeping. This was about engaging with lots of people who will make a difference to this issue. Its very important to acknowledge the excellent work that is done by the church and faith communities and hopefully today is the beginning of building that team that can make a difference.
Figures collected by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show the Black Country has particular challenges around homelessness and housing need. The Autumn 2016 DCLG rough sleeping figures showing 58 rough sleepers in the four local authorities that make up the Black Country. Walsall itself estimated the largest number of rough sleepers in the Black Country, with more than half of the total. More than 53,000 people were on council waiting lists for housing in 2016, while 1,400 households spent last Christmas in temporary accommodation.
Kathy Mohan, Chief Executive of Housing Justice, said: Housing Justice is delighted to have provided an opportunity for local grassroots groups to come together and discuss practical action on housing need and homelessness and particularly delighted to have welcomed the new mayor of the West Midlands region and to have impressed on him the need for action in this area. Churches and faith groups are at the front line of the homelessness crisis across our country, providing practical support through emergency bed spaces and drop-in centres, and through the release of land for new affordable rented homes. We hope this event in the Black Country will kick-start new work here and contribute to the work already taking place locally and we look forward to being involved.