Crisis UK - Talk by Graham Hutchins

Summary of the talk and what Crisis does:

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless.   It works with individuals and families on a one to one basis through its 9 skylight centres located across the UK.  For example, it provides assistance with housing, education / training and health / well being.

Homelessness is a growing crisis, primarily driven by the chronic lack of affordable housing across the UK, individual challenges and society structural issues including changes to benefits, zero hours contracts and poor rights for tenants also contribute to the rising number of households facing homelessness which is now circa 300,000.

Crisis uses research and evidence to campaign to change policy in England, Scotland and Wales to end homelessness for good.  We are also working to change public and employer perception of homelessness in the UK which currently places the emphasis on individuals rather than society as a whole.

Crisis has three pillars to its new 10 year strategy.

• Continuing to campaign and secure MP support for the policies needed to end homelessness

• To continue to build and operate Crisis centres across the country, we will also build 1,000 new homes in partnership with local organisations

• Build a community of people across the country focused on homelessness from landlords and employers to teachers and healthcare workers everyone is welcome play their part

Crisis strongly believes that homelessness in our county can be ended with the right level of engagement, support and willingness to consider alternative solutions.