1. Homelessness in Southampton God’s Heart God’s Vision God’s Solution Love Southampton Housing Group, 2014

2. This presentation has an accompanying sheet of notes It is written for churches to use as part of their services. There are also suggested prayers for use corporately or individually. See www.lovesouthampton.org.uk/housing 2God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

3. What comes to mind when you think of a homeless person? Sat in a sleeping bag? Begging for money? Looking downcast? 3God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

4. Housing problem – like an iceberg On the streets we see only the tip of the problem There are 17,500 households in Southampton who need better accommodation. Many people are affected by benefit cuts not just people without paid employment 4God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

5. Anonymous Example (please read out) A single dad aged 34, had 3 children and was living in a private rented 2 bedroom flat. He couldn’t manage work and childcare. His mental health deteriorated. The children had to go and live with their grandparents. Now he couldn’t afford the two-bedroom flat. He no longer has the children living with him and he is under 35, so he is only eligible to claim Local Housing Allowance for a single room. The current rate is £64.62 a week. He found a room in a shared house and moved in. The landlord decided to sell the house and he had to move out. The landlord of the shared house had not asked him for a deposit, so when he had to move out he did not have any money to come from his old landlord to use as a deposit. He is now sofa-surfing between family and friends. His mental health has continued to suffer. In order for his mental health to improve he feels he needs to live on his own in a studio or one bedroom flat He has been looking daily for a studio flat or one bedroom flat and can not find anything for less than £495 a month. Since he is only eligible for single room rate local housing allowance he faces a shortfall of at least £250 a month. Too much. This is putting pressure on his mental health and on his relationships with the people he is staying with. He is very worried he will become street homeless. God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution5

6. Imagine a river… …flowing through our city The “river of homelessness” 6God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

7. People in the river Did they fall, or jump or were they pushed? 7God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

8. Surviving in the river Some people are swimming with the current, some are fighting it and some are drowning. 8God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

9. Help We throw our ropes into the water and help people to a place of safety We are asking why they were in the river to begin with We go upstream and look! 9God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution

10. God’s heart compassion – don’t be indifferent humility – it could be me justice – make it fair God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution10 Response 1

11. God’s vision church to respond, stand in the gap faith - big problem, but pray and act in faith how to stop the cycle of falling in “the river” 11God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution Response 2

12. God’s solution(s) Please pray for Housing Group and others trying to find solutions - it’s complex, it needs collaboration. prayer (see suggested prayers) befriending – to combat loneliness and isolation support the Churches Rent Deposit Scheme more and better landlords spare rooms – lodgers and young people engage with relevant organisations to work together – SCC, Housing Agencies, Planners… 12God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution Response 3

13. For more details Housing Awareness and Prayer Evening info ways to respond prayer Tuesday 25 March 2014 7.30pm Central Baptist Church Devonshire Road Polygon SO15 2GY God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution13

14. Thank you more info + sign up for newsletters at www.lovesouthampton.org.uk God’s heart – God’s vision – God’s solution14