By Tony O'Riley-
Coventry Homelessness Forum, a collection of homelessness agencies, has set up a new site to centralise donations coming in from the area to combat homelessness
Under The Change Into Action Scheme, The Change into Action site is designed to coordinate public donations with local charity Feeding Coventry to distribute the funds to help give rough sleepers food and other items. The charity will also provide those sleeping rough with access to services to find them housing.
The radical move is one taken to combat homelessness instead of relying on the government which has promised a lot of cash to achieve the goal. Birmingham and Solihull Council are already taking part in the scheme. The proactive plans being circulated on twitter is aimed at rooting out homelessness from Coventry within five years.
Homelessness Forum just recently released the new ‘Coventry Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2019-2024’, an action plan to eliminate homelessness in Coventry entirely within three years. It is being supported by Coventry Council.
Change into Action uses a distinguished a feature known as StreetLink, where members of the public can help locate rough sleepers over the age of 18 in need of help, and bring them to the attention of the council and the homelessness forum. If the Council fail them, the homelessness forum is expected to rescue them.
Tariq Khan, a cabinet member for housing and communities who is helping champion the raising of awareness of the fund emphasising the importance of different agencies and organisations joining forces to achieve a change told The Eye Of Media.Com:
“Eliminating street homelessness in Coventry remains a key priority for the Council. It should be a goal everywhere. Bringing together the existing generosity of the public and the commitment of different agencies is a productive step forward in tackling homelessness.
“We want to see the donation page take off. It’s important to be able to let people know the amount of funds being generated and exactly how and where rough sleepers are benefiting from the money raised.”
Birmingham and Solihull Council are also taking part in the scheme. The Coventry Homelessness Forum just recently released the new ‘Coventry Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2019-2024’, an action plan to eliminate homelessness in Coventry entirely within three years.
Yesterday, the Wales government announced their campaign of hidden homelessness to highlight the reality that homelessness is not confined to rough sleeping. The campaign is looking to target young people who are sleeping on a friend’s sofa, living in a temporary hostel or an overcrowded house and not even realise they are homeless.
Shelter Cymru and the Welsh Government are spearheading the campaign across social media and traditional media with the slogan “Homelessness Doesn’t Always Live On the Streets’.
This includes coverage across Shelter Cymru’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. Young people in ‘hidden homelessness’ situations are being urged to seek help via Shlter Cymru’s instant messaging service, helpline and advisers.