Housing Justice News Release 23 August 2006
For immediate release
Housing Justice counters Westminster attacks on Soup Runs
Housing Justice today responded to Westminster City Council’s attacks on Soup Runs by stressing their positive role in reaching out to homeless and vulnerable people.
Westminster alleges that Soup Runs “keep homeless people on the streets” and has suggested that Soup Run volunteers should redirect their actions to help in other ways.
Alison Gelder, Chief Executive of Housing Justice, commented “Soup Runs can have a positive impact on the lives of many people, particularly the homeless and vulnerable. Soup Run volunteers provide not just food but a much needed and regular point of contact to people whose lives are often chaotic. Ideally Soup Runs should be a complementary arm of the services available to homeless and vulnerable people.”
Gelder stressed that for groups such as Polish people and other Eastern Europeans who have fallen on hard times Soup Runs are the only source of food available as they are unable to claim benefits and access other homeless services.
She stated “For this reason it is no exaggeration to say that Soup Runs save lives. Most Soup Runs are organised by church and other faith groups as a practical expression of their Christian faith. They operate on every night of the year whatever the weather and cost tax payers nothing. The best should be celebrated as an example of hospitality and a way in from the cold for people who are in the greatest need. In the mean time we would encourage all Soup Run organisers to join the Soup Run Forum and help develop best practice.”
Ends
Notes
Housing Justice’s London Soup Run Forum helps to coordinate the work of and provide a voice for Soup Runs in London.
The Forum has already drawn up best practice guidelines, and keeps a timetable to reduce overlap between the different Soup Runs. The next Forum meeting will take place on 1 November 2006. Contact Alastair Murray at Housing Justice for further details.
Soup Runs operate every night of the year by taking food to homeless and vulnerable people in central London around the West End and Victoria areas. In contrast soup kitchens operate from one indoor location.
Alastair Murray of Housing Justice who is responsible for the Soup Run Forum is available for interview.
About Housing Justice
Housing Justice is the national voice of Christian action to prevent
homelessness and bad housing.
Housing Justice was formed in April 2003 by the merger of two
long-standing housing charities, the Catholic Housing Aid Society (CHAS)
and the Churches National Housing Coalition (CNHC). In January 2006
Housing Justice merged with UNLEASH (Church Action on Homelessness in London). Housing Justice brings together more than 60 years experience of working for change in the field of housing.
Housing Justice provides frontline services to people in housing need
and campaigns to improve housing policy. In total Housing Justice is
actively involved in more than 35 communities across England and Wales.
The Housing Justice CHAS network of 12 housing advice centres provide
practical support to people with housing and related problems.
Housing Justice UNLEASH works to support church-based housing and
homelessness projects in London.
Housing Justice Regenerate, funded by the government's Civil Renewal
Unit, supports resident-led regeneration in 15 guide neighbourhoods
across the UK. Regenerate brings together residents who have transformed their estates with those who want to embark on the regeneration process to share learning and offer support.
Housing Justice works with Scottish Churches Housing Action to organise the annual Homelessness Sunday, a day when churches are encouraged to reflect on the problems of homelessness and bad housing. Homelessness Sunday will be held on Sunday 28 January 2007.
Housing Justice works with, and for, homeless and badly housed people of all denominations, and with those who have no religious beliefs. All our
services are offered to the whole community and, wherever possible, we
work in partnership with others who share our values, regardless of
religious beliefs.
Further information on Housing Justice is available at
www.housingjustice.org.uk
Contact
Luke Evans 020 7723 7273
email media@housingjustice.org.uk