Now is the time for the Government to respond.
Essential government funding for homelessness is due to end in March 2025 – just six months away.
If it does, thousands of people could lose access to life-saving support.
But the demand for our services is skyrocketing. More people than ever are in need of homelessness support. The number of households at risk of or experiencing homelessness is at a record high.
Tell your MP that this crucial funding must be extended and uplifted as part of the Autumn Budget in order to respond to the homelessness crisis.
Dear MP,
As one of your constituents, I am writing to express my deep concern about the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) funding, which is due to end in March 2025. This funding is crucial for supporting homelessness services in our community and across the country. Government has yet to commit to its renewal.
I urge you to commit to extending and uplifting RSI funding and to immediately raise this with the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget. The demand for homelessness support is skyrocketing; however, these vital services are at risk as RSI funding is set to end in the spring.
Homelessness is at a record high, with over 324,000 households at risk last year and nearly 4,000 people sleeping rough every night. This crisis is exacerbated by the cost of living crisis and a severe lack of affordable housing.
Frontline providers like St Mungo’s are essential in helping people off the streets and into safety. Without essential RSI funding, 30% the services that they run with local authorities may have to close. This would leave thousands of people on the streets vulnerable, without support for a brighter future.
While I welcome the Government’s longer-term measures, such as boosting the delivery of affordable and social housing, the benefits of these policies will take years to materialise. Meanwhile, those providing homelessness services on the frontline are facing an emergency.
If critical RSI funding is not extended, the number of people sleeping on the streets could spiral out of control, leading to greater human and financial costs for the government in the future.
There are people in our community facing homelessness and they need help. Please act now to commit to extending and uplifting RSI funding, for at least the duration of the spending review period.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to your support in ensuring that the necessary funding is secured to continue the fight against homelessness.
If you have any questions, please contact Nikita Cannan (nikita.cannan@mungos.org) Head of Strategies, Policy and Research at St Mungo's.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name}
- What is the essential homelessness funding?
The Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) is a pot of funding the government has put aside to tackle rough sleeping. It goes to local authorities who then distribute it to homelessness services, including services provided by St Mungo’s.
- What has St Mungo's been doing about this?
