Hackney Winter Night Shelter predicts increasing demand for fourth year in row

Helping hand: Volunteers make the beds. Photograph: Paul Driver

Hackney Winter Night Shelter is expecting higher levels of demand this year after a 14 per cent rise in new rough sleepers, according to figures from the Greater London Authority.

The numbers are up for the fourth time in a row.

Andrew Hudson is the chair of trustees for HWNS. He says:  “The need for the work of Hackney Winter Night Shelter is greater than ever.  We don’t look for government funding, but rely on the work and donations of volunteers.”

The shelters, open since November, will be staffed by over 700 volunteers between now and March, when they close for the spring and summer period.

Hudson added: “This year has started off busier than ever, reflecting the rising number of rough sleepers in London. We’ve had enquiries from 110 people, even though we only have 15 beds.”

“This is due partly to a shortage of low-cost accommodation in Hackney, which lots of people will recognise, and partly down to benefit changes – no doubt among other things because reasons for homelessness are complicated.

“To give you the figures by the end of last month we had already already had enquiries and referrals about 110 people, even though up to Christmas we only have 15 beds a night.

“As well as running the shelters, our staff are working hard to find guests more suitable accommodation, and five guests have already moved on to more suitable accommodation such as a council flat or hostel bed.”

This year the shelter is hoping to introduce a laundry service and extra showers in the day time, improving on last year’s services.

Hackney’s rough sleepers faced punitive measures early this year when Hackney Council proposed fining homeless people up to £1,000 in certain hotspots, which critics of the measure said would effectively criminalise them.

Local resident Jane Clendon started a petition last month to encourage Hackney Council to copy initiatives in Manchester to house homeless people in empty buildings.

Gee Sinha, who founded local community enterprise Hive at 260 Kingsland Road, has begun consultations with London councils about how they might undertake this work.

The Night Shelter is currently seeking volunteers for night and day-time shifts, and is also hoping to recruit an IT volunteer.

“If you would like to help out in any way, or to donate,” Hudson adds, “we’d love to hear from you.”

For more information go to: Hackney Winter Night Shelter.

To make a donation, text HWNS02 £2 / £5 / £10 to 70070 to donate, for example  “HWNS02 £5”