Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2024
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2024, day 3: Housing Matters
Accessing safe and secure accommodation to call home, and navigating housing issues if and when they arise is a challenge many people will encounter in their life.
Housing Matters has been supporting individuals and families across Bristol since 1965 to do those, by giving clients the advice, support, and advocacy they need to avoid or escape homelessness and find long-term stability.
Between 2019 and 2024, those experiencing homelessness increased in Bristol and nationally, with the cost of living being a significant factor in that. Further to that Bristol is the most expensive city to live in outside of London.
is needed now More than ever
Housing Matters was founded in 1965 – image: Housing Matters
Based in Easton, the charity focuses strongly on areas of high socio-economic deprivation, with 15 per cent of Bristol’s population living in the most deprived ten per cent of areas in England in 2019.
One of the ways they do this is through strong partnerships throughout Bristol, Aashyana for example is a partnership with Citizens Advice Bristol and St Pauls Advice Centre specifically focusses outreach towards Bristol’s South Asian communities with housing and income.
This can take several forms such as helping them save money through switching their utilities or taking in lodgers.
Housing Matters outlines several hurdles that their clients face to securing long-term housing – image: Housing Matters
Housing Matters operates through three key approaches:
- Rights-based – With a deep knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, they equip their clients with a solid understanding of their rights.
- Empowering – Treating everyone with the dignity they deserve, actively listening to understand each person’s unique circumstances. As well as acting on their behalf, they upskill clients to take charge of any future housing issues.
- Collaborative– In recognition that housing stress is usually accompanied by additional issues, they work in partnership with other specialist organisations to create a holistic approach to solving challenges. Their network includes over 40 local organisations.
Do you have questions about your social housing situation?
Come to our free drop-in session, running in partnership with @BlackSWNet & @BristolCouncil
Please note this session is for people from racially minoritised communities.
Book your spot here ? https://t.co/WzM1gTYhSm pic.twitter.com/wr1PN0HCSD
— Housing Matters (@hsngmttrs) November 26, 2024
In the charity’s latest impact report (2023-2024) they say they improved housing conditions and rehousing prospects for 19 per cent of their clients and empowered 32 per cent to take further action themselves or referred them to another specialist agency.
On their website, Housing Matters say: “We believe that housing is a human right, and we fight tirelessly for everyone to have a safe, secure home.”
Housing Matters can be reached through their housing advice and support line or through their in-person drop in sessions across Bristol.
Main photo: Pexels
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