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Homelessness charities warn of funding and job cuts crisis

BBC AnyaBBC
Anya said a homeless charity was also a great advocate for her at her school

Homelessness services are facing a potential crisis due to higher costs and a funding shortfall, according to a charity.

Cymorth Cymru said higher rent and energy bills without an increase in government support could be "devastating".

It said without a rise in the Housing Support Grant, providers may have to look to cut services or jobs.

The Welsh government said it was facing a perfect storm of financial pressures.

Around 9,000 people in Wales are living in temporary accommodation, which is the highest number there has ever been, according to the latest official data.

Gisda, which helps people facing homelessness across Gwynedd and runs a foodbank, stepped in to get Anya her own flat.

The 16-year-old said: "If they weren't here I just wouldn't be living life, basically. I'd still be failing at school and I'd be in such a dark place mentally.

"They help with bills and if I need to do anything with universal credit or British Gas. It's like a stepping stone to being fully independent and living the adult life."

"I've had a few difficulties with attendance at school because of my home environment.

"Since moving the staff in general have been really good at helping me communicate with the school and putting across my needs and being really great advocates for me."

Sian Tomos from Gisda
Sian Tomos says it is "absolutely vital that we are able to support the most vulnerable people in society"

Gisda's chief executive, Sian Tomos, said the rising cost of living was hitting the charity.

"We've got young people centres across Gwynedd that need heating and the cost has gone up significantly over the past 12 months, so it's difficult for us.

"It's our responsibility that our young people are not affected by the cost of living crisis.

"Even though we are receiving grants from the government, I don't think it's enough to support the increasing demand on services at the moment."

Katie Dalton - Cymorth Cymru
Katie Dalton says the job of support workers is "really challenging, so we need to be paying these staff to recognise those skills"

Cymorth Cymru, which represents homeless and housing organisations, said without a rise in the Housing Support Grant, providers may have to cut services or jobs.

Chief executive Katie Dalton said: "We know that investing in these housing support services delivers prevention in terms of health, social care and criminal justice, so it makes financial sense to invest in these services.

"If homelessness is going to be a priority we need to make sure housing grant services are there to help people out of homelessness.

Homeless charities not only lack enough money to pay their bills, but some say they could lose staff because they cannot afford to give them a pay rise.

Ms Dalton added: "We've been hearing from some staff who've worked in the sector for 20 to 30 years - who have never been here for the pay, let's face it.

"But things have got so bad that they're leaving to work in supermarkets where they're being paid higher wages, they're becoming delivery drivers because they're getting paid much more for much less stress on the job.

The Welsh government said: "Frontline housing support services are under considerable pressure and they play an important role in preventing homelessness - the Housing Support Grant has therefore been maintained at £166.76m.

"The homelessness prevention budget will increase by £15m in 2023-24, taking our investment in homelessness and housing support services to more than £207m next year."