Charity founder fears 'long way to go' to solve homelessness in Fenland
The number of people waiting to be rehoused in the district has risen
Volunteers at a Wisbech charity don't know when homelessness will be resolved, but they are determined to fight on.
"The trend was 15 meals to start with, we quickly went to 50, 75, now we're at 150," Krissy said.
Alongside her son George, she founded Feed Fenland which provides hot meals and food parcels to homeless people and rough sleepers six nights a week.
Before finding a place to offer meals at the Olive Academy in Wisbech, the charity operated from car parks where anyone could come and ask for support.
"We've got a really good reputation, people know where we are, they know they can come and have a meal and know they'll be treated with respect," Krissy said.
"That's very important to us."
Demand for housing advice up
In its latest homelessness strategy, Fenland District Council found the number of people waiting to be rehoused increased each year between 2019-20 and 2022-23, from 1,066 to 1,744.
The two most common reasons for becoming homeless was family no longer willing to accommodate or a relationship breakdown.
While since the Covid-19 pandemic, the council has seen demand for housing advice rise.
At Feed Fenland, anyone can come for help without being means-tested.
"Some of those who are rough sleeping, they may not speak or see anybody all day," Krissy said.
"There was a lady who comes; she was upset, I gave her a hug and she said 'you are the first person to touch me in over a week; and that human touch is important."
'It's a huge problem'
But despite the support that's available, Krissy isn't confident there is a shorter-term fix to homelessness.
"I think we're a very long way from that; there's more food poverty, more homelessness; until I think there's a national campaign and all the organisations helping people can work collectively, we're never going to solve it.
"We're not only serving people that are rough sleeping, but those who are sofa surfing, that have children who come, in temporary accommodation, in women's refuges.
"It's a huge problem, and for a lot of people, it's a hidden problem."
What can be done to help the problem?
In its strategy up to 2029, Fenland Council aims to follow measures such as:
- A review of homelessness prevention techniques to respond to the needs of clients.
- Addressing housing options for complex cases in order to find solutions.
- Providing specialist accommodation for clients who are homeless and have drug and/or alcohol dependency.
- Tackling rogue landlords in Fenland and serving enforcement notices on poor quality properties.
"People who are homeless don’t just lack a home, there are often many other contributing factors such as their health and wellbeing, finances, substance misuse, life choices and relationships," the council said.
"Homelessness impacts on virtually every element of our lives, our health, education, work and our ability to find work, personal safety.
"Working together effectively as one team is the only way we can tackle these issues together in Fenland."
In its national plan to end homelessness, the Government said it will invest £3.5 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years.