Homelessness in Walsall

It was great to see St Matthew's deep concern for the homeless at our AGM last month. For those who weren't there, the people raised the issue of the homeless at the AGM - we were then trying to help around half a dozen homeless people who were coming to us regularly. We have helped many others in the past. However we all agree that we do not have the resources to do more than scratch the surface. The people who have the resources, and also have a legal duty to do something about it, are Walsall Council: but the Council refuse to acknowledge that there is anyone sleeping rough in Walsall.

So angry was the AGM about this blatant denial that they asked me to get up a petition, which I did. For good measure I circulated it to other Walsall churches. I have now received responses from 13 churches with over 450 signatures. I decided to send a press release to local papers, and here it is - see below. SO far the Advertiser and the Chronicle have expressed interest and are following it up. Let's hope we see an article about this injustice in the papers soon.

The figures shown in the press release are slightly different because more responses have come in since the release was issued.

PRESS RELEASE 15 MAY 2008

Churchgoers Anger leads to Homelessness Petition

Churchgoers in Walsall are providing more and more support to homeless people. They come into services and other meetings: they knock on clergy doors other church premises seeking help - a few sandwiches, a sleeping bag, a train fare, the cost of a cup of tea.

Of course the churches are only too pleased to give what help they can - it goes with the territory. However they are well aware that all they can do is scratch the surface. The real needs of homeless people will only be met by fully resourced professional provision - which basically means Walsall Council.

However the Council's position is that there are NO people sleeping rough in Walsall. This was based on a survey undertaken in December 2006 by officers who were not permitted to enter abandoned factories and boarded up buildings for Health and Safety reasons. But these were the very places the homeless had retreated to during a spell of bitter cold. The result is that, officially, the people who are coming to churches seeking help do not exist!

Churchgoers at St Matthew's, concerned for the homeless, are angry at this act of denial. At their AGM they voted to put together a petition to the Council demanding action. The wording of the petition is:

"We the undersigned are aware that Churches in Walsall are making informal provision for many homeless people. We call upon the Council to abandon its mistaken view that there are no homeless people in Walsall and to make proper provision for their needs."

So far over 300 signatures have been collected from 11 different churches. The petition will be presented to Council Officers shortly.

The Reverend Colin Gibson, vicar of St Matthew's, says:

"The lack of provision for homeless people in Walsall is a scandal. People are right to be angry about it! The Council should think again about the homeless and take action now."