Housing Justice is the national voice of Christian action in the field of housing and homelessness. We exist because we believe that human dignity is challenged by the lack of decent housing.
We support night-shelters, drop-ins and hundreds of practical projects nationwide by providing advice and training for churches and other community groups who work with homeless people.
We work by uniting Christians and churches of all denominations across the country to work for change. We embrace partnerships with people of all faiths (and none) who share our values of social justice and compassion.
Recruiting - HJ is looking for a Soup Run Forum Worker!
Find out more here>>
HJ launches Rights Guide for Rough Sleepers
In the evening of 07.12.09 Housing Justice, in partnership with The Pavement magazine and the Simon Community, distributed copies of the guide to dozens of homeless people in central London. The guide is a response to Operation Poncho, a multi-agency initiative
by the London authorities that has been perceived by rough sleepers as coercive.
Download the guide here >>
See the pictures on facebook
(you may need to register)
HJ and BIHR to form Homeless Human Rights Action Team
In the wake of the training programme delivered by the British Institute for Human Rights to HJ staff in recent months, the two organisations have come to see the need for a sustained, concerted action to protect the rights of homeless people in the face of continued coercive action by the authorities.
See article in Inside Housing >>
Housing Justice and Crisis co-host volunteering event
On 24th November, Housing Justice and Crisis co-hosted an event at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. The aim was to celebrate and promote volunteering in the homelessness sector.
Guest of honour Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, stressed the need for legislation to facilitate rather than obstruct volunteering.
A whole raft of homelessness charities were exhibiting, and both professionals, volunteers and would-be volunteers mingled and networked busily a long time after the speeches were over.
A volunteering directory was produced for the occasion.
Download it here >>
Download the press release here >>
Photos of the Commemoration Service for Homeless People
The service on 12th November 2009 saw the names of some two hundred homeless people who died in the last twelves months read out. A banner, on the theme of 'I am the Vine, You are the Branches', was hoisted, with each leaf bearing the name of one homeless person that passed away. Two homeless people choirs performed.
See the pictures here >>
See the press release here >>
Housing Justice on TV
On Sunday, 22nd November, London Coordinator Sally Leigh was on 'The Big Questions', BBC 1. On the eve of the Empty Homes National Week of Action Sally argued that some way should be found to bring together owners of empty properties and those in need of housing.
See the programme on iplayer >>
Advent resources
Churches Together in Britain & Ireland have compiled some excellent Advent resources on their website, downloadable in pdf format here >>
HJ responds to the London Housing Strategy consultation
From social rented and intermediate homes on brown field sites to the target of ending rough sleeping by 2012, HJ responds to the LHS
Read it here >>
 |
31st. Annual Justice & Peace Conference |
HJ on Resonance radio! 5th August 2009
Sally Leigh, our London Co-ordinator, spoke about the politics of Operation Poncho, shelters, Container City, gatekeeping, and an upcoming leaflet developed in partnership with The Pavement, Liberty and Zacchaeus 2000. The leaflet is to give homeless people the lowdown on their human rights.
Hear the programme here >>
Soup Runs Research
New research into the role of Soup Runs has just been published. This authoritative research originates in a meeting of the Housing Justice Soup Run Forum in 2007 and was carried out by a team from the London School of Economics, led by Professor Anne Power, with funding from Crisis and CLG.
| Downloads |
Housing Justice National Conference - 18.06.09
There is a short report from the day and keynote presentations here
Read the press release issued on 19.06.09
Homelessness: on the road to Theology
On 3rd June, Housing Justice CEO Alison Gelder gave a lecture with this title at Action Research - Church and Society.
Read the transcript here >>
Housing Justice featured on humanrightstv.com
Sally Leigh, our London Co-ordinator, talks about The Street Homeless Project and what we are doing. She also talks about the wider issues and challenges that face all of those involved in supporting those who are abandoned on the streets of England. The video also features Bill Bell, a long-standing volunteer.
Watch Sally here >>
Vetting and barring for winter shelters: policy update
On 14th May 2009, HJ met with a Home Office representative to obtain clarifications on the vetting and barring scheme at the Home Office
More here >>
 |
New HJ Publication: Rough Sleeping Compassion v Coercion: Church, Community and Goverment responses' |
 |
We support the GET FAIR campaign for its determination to secure the commitment of all major political parties to put an end to poverty by 2020. Find out more here >> |
|
| Local Grants Forum |
Housing Justice is among fifteen or so organisations behind the Forum. We campaign to protect grants for local third sector organisations and community groups. Find out more here >> |
|
 |
We support livesimply in its drive to fight poverty that derives from consumerism by inviting individuals to commit to living more sustainably. Find out more here >> |
|