Homeless organisations unite to discuss PM’s rough sleeping policy

Leaders of organisations helping homeless people in Derby – including Derventio Housing Trust – will meet this week to discuss their response to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s flagship rough sleeping policy.

The first-of-its-kind ‘Faith in Housing’ round table is being organised by the trust, which provides accommodation to 1,200 people a year who would otherwise be homeless.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced earlier this year his plans to end rough sleeping by Christmas, pledging an additional £442 million across the country to support organisations like Derventio, which get people off the streets and into secure accommodation.

The Faith in Housing event on October 8 will see representatives from Derby Cathedral, the Derby Multi Faith Centre, Pathways of Chesterfield, Derby & Burton Hospitals Trust, Jericho House, the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, Derbyshire Jewish Community, Derby Homes and The Ark meet to discuss how to respond to the area’s portion of the funding.

Members of the public are being invited along to a special Choral Evensong at Derby Cathedral immediately following the round table discussion.

Faith groups along with homeless organisations and charities will be giving readings at the service, which is being held to mark Homelessness Sunday.

The Choral Evensong will take place at Derby Cathedral at 5.30pm. Residents of Derventio Housing Trust, who have been through the trauma of homelessness, will be among those giving readings and members of the public are being warmly invited along.

The Revd Canon Romita Shrisunder, from Derby Cathedral, said: “Outreach is about listening deeply to the needs of our communities and responding with love.

“Derby Cathedral is privileged to provide a space where faith, charity, and community leaders can unite for the Faith in Housing roundtable.

“Housing insecurity touches the very heart of our shared humanity, and our faiths compel us to act.”

Sarah Hernandez, managing director of Derventio Housing Trust, said: “We very much hope to see members of the public attend the special Choral Evensong at Derby Cathedral to mark Homelessness Sunday.

“It will be a moving and reflective event, and we are very pleased that some residents of our accommodation have agreed to give readings.

“As an organisation we are committed to working with other organisations in Derby and Derbyshire to do even more to help address the issues that lead to people losing their homes, and in helping them get their lives back on track after they come to us to benefit from our services and those of other organisations working hard in Derbyshire.

“The Choral Evensong service in beautiful Derby Cathedral gives the public the chance to find out more about some of this work and listen within these peaceful surroundings to those who have been through this trauma and others working to help.”