Caring in Bristol launches ‘No Outsiders’ campaign as homelessness is set to rise to catastrophic rates in the city
Bristol-based homelessness charity calls on public help, amidst growing concerns for rising homelessness as a result of Covid-19
Local charity Caring in Bristol, is growing increasingly concerned for those at risk of homelessness due to the current economic crisis. Homelessness and housing services in the city are already working at maximum capacity and as a result of Covid-19, there are growing numbers of people at risk of becoming homeless imminently.
‘No Outsiders’ calls for Bristol to pay attention to the rise in homelessness and strain on services that is imminent in the coming months. The charity is calling for the public to help and donate to those services that will be on the frontline of the growing economic crisis as it worsens. In a video by the charity, No Outsiders explores Bristolians interviews on their views on the growing crisis in the city. The video goes live on Friday 24th July across social media.
The end of the government furlough scheme in August, means thousands in the city are at risk of unemployment, and could therefore be left unable to pay their rent. Paired with the end of the government ban on evictions from August 23rd where national charity Shelter predicts 230,000 renters are at risk of ‘Covid-eviction’, the charity predicts that services in the city will face increasing strain. Caring in Bristol wants to know that with the looming crisis at the end of August, the authorities will not turn a blind eye to victims of the economic crisis who are at serious risk of falling into homelessness.
Generation Rent estimates that 17% of renters have fallen into arrears since the beginning of the pandemic, and the number of families at risk of eviction due to late or missed rent payments is triple that of last year. Centrepoint, a homeless charity supporting under-25s in England, has seen a 36% increase in people seeking support since lockdown began.
Caring in Bristol director Ben Richardson said “As a local homelessness charity we are working daily to support our clients, but we fear that local services will be stretched beyond their limits as furlough ends, evictions begin and lack of available jobs and safe overnight shelter take its toll. We are especially concerned about those with no recourse to public funds, and the dramatic increase in evictions that are imminent.
As a proud Bristolian we want #NoOutsiders to talk about the crisis through a Bristol lens. Working at the grassroots of the homelessness crisis with over ten community partners and 150 volunteers seven days a week to support those at the cliff-edge of support has fuelled our campaign and we hope it draws much needed attention to the housing issues on the horizon. Those who have been hit hard by the economic fallout of the pandemic must be guaranteed safe, affordable and secure housing and the support to maintain their homes, to avoid even more people being made homeless. No one should be left without a safe place to stay ever, including because of the COVID-19 fall-out.”
Check out the No Outsiders campaign on the Caring in Bristol Instagram and Facebook now.