|TOP|Two of the UK’s leading homeless charities, Housing Justice and UNLEASH (Church Action on Homelessness) formally announced their merger at a conference held in central London earlier in the week.

Chief Executive of Housing Justice, Robina Rafferty, commented, "UNLEASH was created 25 years ago by Housing Justice’s predecessor and the Anglican Diocese of Southwark to improve standards of accommodation for homeless people.

“We have worked very closely together over the years, and share the same values and goals. The merger is the logical next step if we want to strengthen the churches’ voice in these matters.”

The two charities announced the merger at a conference held Tuesday under the title “From rough sleeping to affordable homes for all: what should churches be doing?”, in which conference speakers set out the local and national contexts of homelessness policy as well as the practical solutions being offered by churches and other agencies.

|QUOTE|Participants at the conference were able to take part in a round of ‘speed seminars’ – 20 minute introductory talks based on speed dating sessions – in which participants were able to hear examples of the practical work churches are doing to tackle the problem of homelessness in London.

Rafferty highlighted the important contribution that churches continue to make in homelessness prevention.

“Churches play a vital role on the ground working to support homeless and badly housed people and prevent homelessness,” said Robina. “Often the churches are the only organisations that are there for destitute asylum seekers, homeless Eastern European workers who are not entitled to benefits and rough sleepers who, for whatever reason, are not able to access other homelessness services.”

Participants at the conference were also able to hear about the work being done by independent advice centres like CHAS Central London and the support provided by day centres, night shelters, and family centres, to alleviate the problem of homelessness.

Looking to long term solutions of the problem, Rafferty said: “21 years ago the church produced Faith in the City which highlighted the problems of poor housing in London and other UK cities. Since then the problems, especially in London, have got much worse for those at the bottom of society.

“The only sustainable long-term solution is for the government to build more affordable housing – only then will we be able to truly prevent homelessness.”