The Salvation Army gives evidence on homelessness to Senedd Committee

The Salvation Army called for charities and agencies to work closer together to tackle homelessness as part of its expert evidence to Members of the Senedd scrutinising the issue in Wales. 

The Local Government and Housing Committee met to hear from charities working in the field. 

The Salvation Army gave evidence based on the church and charity’s experience working with vulnerable people and providing specialist homelessness prevention, outreach, and housing support services across Wales.

The Salvation Army’s Assistant Director of Strategic Operations and Development in Wales Emma Shaw called for shared data from the NHS, Criminal Justice System, Local Authorities and charities. 

She said: “Information needs to be shared when we talk about health, the prison system and those groups involved with hospital discharges and prison releases. We should be working closer together, so that we're not just responding to those crises but looking ahead.

“There needs to be a community focus to help people on the cusp of entering homelessness. Otherwise, the pressures on families being made homeless will increase. The third sector and faith groups have stepped into the gaps for many years, but money and budgets are being stretched.”

The Salvation Army also highlighted the importance of ringfencing the Homelessness Prevention Grant to recognise that prevention funding is key to reducing homelessness. 

Emma Shaw spoke about the current pressures faced by the sector, such as the increase in Employers National Insurance Contribution and cost of living rises, as well as recognising the vital role of staff.

Homelessness in Wales has risen to the highest levels since records began with the most recent figures from the Welsh Government showing 13,000 households categorised as homeless, an eight per cent increase.