Truth About Homeless

Abi Akinyemi, of Homelink, said the Government s claim, that its rough sleepers initiative was taking people off the streets, was masking the true homeless situation.

In Arun district, many people were having to sleep on a friend s floor or settee, or were resorting to staying in caravans, because of difficulties in obtaining affordable rented accommodation.

And with levels of housing benefit payments failing to keep up with spiralling rents, she predicted the problem would worsen over the next 12 months.

The church-backed charity provides a bridge for people to find new homes by guaranteeing deposits for those who would otherwise be unable to afford the lump sum.

Homelink is currently helping more than 500 people in this way and received a national volunteers award last year for its work in the field.

Now, said Abi, was the time for Homelink s efforts to be given more support locally, too.

"If we can be recognised nationally, let our local community pick up the torch. We need more volunteers to help support our clients or to raise funds for our work, and we need everyone s help in providing more affordable accommodation."

For more on rising rents for private properties, see the Gazette, January 3.