Homelessness is on the rise all around the UK. How do we respond?

Shocking statistics released earlier this month by The Museum of Homelessness showed that in 2024, at least 1611 homeless people died across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. An increase of 9% compared to year before.

Despite living in the world’s sixth biggest economy, the number of people with no safe place to call their home is going up at an alarming rate.

Labour may have promised to build 1.5 million homes and to prioritise social rent properties to tackle the housing crisis but people need help now. Otherwise the consequences they face can be fatal.

We look forward to hearing from the cross-government unit about their long-term homelessness strategy (due to be published this year) and welcome their ambition to tackle homelessness. But the government’s homelessness strategy can’t come soon enough. With such a complex and widespread issue, and with so many other demands they're facing it really demonstrates the need for charities and community responses to homelessness being part of the solution.

On a national scale, the challenge of homelessness seems overwhelming. And yet, at the heart of homelessness is individual people in need of support. What can we do to stop homelessness from happening in our part of the UK?

Jacob Dimitriou, Faith and Communities Rough Sleeping Adviser for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said:

“On emergency accommodation alone, without the 89 faith and community-based night shelters across England that provide more than 1,200 beds during the coldest months, the street count would be around 50% higher than recorded this year.”*

James Boultbee, our CEO also shared:

"These heartbreaking and insightful new figures are a stark reminder of just how vital homelessness prevention and emergency solutions such as our Winter Night Shelter are, especially as the nights grow colder and longer."

In an increasingly difficult environment, Wycombe Homeless Connection continues to work tirelessly year-round for people across south Buckinghamshire who are homeless or facing losing their homes. This coming winter we will be re-opening our winter night shelter for the bleakest three months of the year. Around 300 volunteers are needed to make it happen in seven church venues and the first training session is in a couple of weeks’ time.

Last winter, of the 31 guests who stayed in the shelter, only two were left on the final night. All of the others had moved on to accommodation through working together with out team, collaborating with partner organisations or had alternative options that came available. And we continued to work with the remaining two after the shelter closed.

That’s 31 people from our corner of the UK who didn’t have to face sleeping on the street. Who had hot meals, warm clothes and showers instead of a sleeping bag in a cold stairwell or park bench. Who were welcomed by people from across the community. Who were linked up with healthcare services and other forms of support for their wellbeing.

It takes a community to make a change. And that’s where you can come in. Can you volunteer at our shelter? Or donate to help us to keep it open?

Find out more here.

* You can read Jacob’s article here.