Crisis has warned of rising numbers of people being forced to sleep rough on the streets of Newcastle, as it launches its Christmas support programme.
The charity, which combats homelessness in the North East, also reported a rise in people struggling to pay for energy bills as well an increase in those who have come forward for financial support in fear that they will lose their home.
Between April and June, there were 707 applications for support to the Council in Newcastle, from people facing homelessness. 674 of these were accepted as being owed a duty from the council to prevent them from becoming homeless, or to help them out of homelessness.
Read more: Homeless charity makes urgent volunteer appeal in Newcastle this Christmas
In September 74 people were counted as sleeping rough in the city, up 17% from the previous month.
"High housing costs, alongside rising energy bills and food prices could force thousands of people, currently struggling to get by, into homelessness in the next few months.
"While Crisis offers help all year round in the North East, Christmas can be a particularly hard time for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness", they said.
Crisis Skylight Newcastle will be putting on events through December. These include a meal for 140 homeless people on Christmas Eve, and deliveries of some Christmas meals and hampers on Christmas Day.
The Skylight Centre will also continue to provide emergency advice for people facing homelessness in the North East in the Christmas period including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Activities, including a wellbeing day with hairdressers, podiatrists, opticians and dentists, as well as fun and engaging tasks like Christmas wreath making, carolling and festive walks will all take place. 300 volunteers will help Crisis deliver these services in Newcastle over the Christmas period.
The Director of Skylight Newcastle Andrew Burnip has given a statement on the work that Crisis do in the winter months.
“No one should be homeless and alone at Christmas. It’s not right that anyone should spend the holidays rough sleeping, in temporary accommodation or separated from friends and family.
“Crisis works in Newcastle to support people out of homelessness all year round, but Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people who have lost their home.
“The cost-of-living crisis has posed huge challenges for people struggling to get by, while high housing costs, combined with rising prices and energy bills threaten to cause a huge spike in homelessness. In that context, action to support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness is vital.
“We have been running support for people experiencing homelessness over Christmas for half a century, but we don’t want to be here delivering our Christmas services in another 50 years. We know it’s within our reach to end homelessness altogether, but until that time comes, we’ll still be here at Christmas and all year-round helping people directly out of homelessness and campaigning for the social changes needed to end it altogether", he said.
To donate to the Newcastle Skylight’s Christmas activities, please click here www.crisis.org.uk/support
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