Posted 28.06.19
Unseen: Further reading
Unseen has published its report - Modern Slavery and Homelessness - revealing that 353 potential victims of modern slavery experienced homelessness, either before, during or after the exploitation occurred.
It covers October 2016 to April 2019 and utilises data collated through reports to Unseen's Modern Slavery Helpline, showing that:
The report, which is published to coincide with a new campaign - 'Always Be Aware' - to raise awareness of the connection between modern slavery and homelessness, includes information on multi-agency collaboration.
It also highlights the indicators to be aware of, including recruitment methods and common sectors where work is offered.
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Posted 19.06.19
Crisis: Further reading
The centuries-old Vagrancy Act, which makes rough sleeping and begging illegal in England and Wales, should be scrapped because it is needlessly pushing vulnerable people further from help, according to a new report from homelessness charity Crisis.
The calls come as the Government today announces its review of the Act as part of its rough sleeping strategy.
Leading figures from across the political spectrum and the police have joined Crisis and a coalition of charities to call for the repeal of the Act, branding it out of date, inhumane and unfit to deal with the modern challenges of addressing rough sleeping and begging
The Vagrancy Act (1824) was originally brought in to make it easier for police to clear the streets of destitute soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars.
The Act makes it a criminal offence to 'wander abroad' or to be 'in any public place, street, highway, court, or passage, to beg or gather alms' in England and Wales.
Nearly two hundred years later, it is still being employed, despite criticism that it needlessly criminalises vulnerable people.
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Posted 05.06.19
Kingdom Housing Association: Further reading
Kingdom Housing Association is pioneering an innovative new project that aims to break the vicious circle of homelessness and unemployment by simultaneously giving a homeless person a job, a home and support with any complex needs or barriers to sustaining their tenancy.
Earlier this year, Kingdom was the first employer in the UK to guarantee shortlisting for all its job vacancies to applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and who have been registered homeless in the preceding 12 months.
Now Kingdom is again breaking new ground with the Naumann Initiative, which is designed to help people who are unemployed homeless into work and decent housing.
The first role Kingdom is filling through the Naumann Initiative is a Tenancy Sustainment Worker. In that role, the successful person will support other people who have experienced homelessness help them make the transition to take up a home with Kingdom.
Applicants do not require experience of that type work as full training will be provided. Kingdom reports that the position has attracted considerable interest from homeless people.
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