Hope for Southall Street Homeless
Hope for Southall Street Homeless (HSSH), supported by Berkeley Homes West Thames, is a community initiative working in partnership with charities, members of the community, statutory agencies and faith groups to provide holistic support for the street homeless in Southall.
The charity begun its work in January 2016, with the launch of the Southall Winter Night Shelter. The service provides a rolling night shelter for local rough sleepers, who have been referred by the Ealing Outreach Team.
Year on year, homelessness is ever increasing, with the rising cost of living a major contributor. However, homeless individuals in Southall do not always fit the same stereotype as rough sleepers in the UK. The majority of the homeless in Southall do not have access to public funds for benefits and as a result their situations continue to deteriorate. This often leads to few alternatives, with some turning to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape.
Firmly embedded in the community, HSSH are committed to addressing rough sleeping in the local area through targeted support and accommodation. They believe that homelessness affects the whole community and the solution is the responsibility of the whole community.