Advertisement
Housing

Wales & West Housing: tackling homelessness alongside The Big Issue

Living in a safe home you can call your own is a fundamental human need, and a basic moral right, says Wales & West Housing.

Wales & West Housing is proud to sponsor this week’s special Homeless World Cup edition of The Big Issue – available to buy from your local vendor until July 28 – and to support The Big Issue’s mission to alleviate one of the biggest social problems facing the UK.

Living in a safe home you can call your own is a fundamental human need, and a basic moral right, as important as education or healthcare and intrinsically linked.

However, throughout the world there are millions of people whose lives are affected by homelessness. In Wales the number of people experiencing homelessness last year rose to more than 25,000; almost one fifth of those are in Cardiff.

As one of Wales’ largest social housing providers, at Wales & West Housing our mission is to make a difference to people’s lives, homes and communities. We know how important it is for a person’s health and wellbeing to have a safe and affordable home.

By providing a home and offering a range of support services, we are part of a life story for more than 22,000 people who live in our properties.

The journey starts from the foundations, with an ambitious build programme. This year we are on track to complete around 300 new homes and over the next three years we aim to build 1500 new, quality, affordable homes in the places where people want to live.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Our work with residents starts at the earliest stage, ensuring that the available homes are suitable to meet that person’s needs. Setting up a first-time home can be expensive, so our staff work with residents to help them furnish their new home, drawing on support from grants and charities.

Over the next three years we aim to build 1500 new, quality, affordable homes in the places where people want to live

We aim to make sure our residents stay in their homes for as long as they want. Our Tenancy Support Officers work with specialists and other agencies and networks to help residents in crisis, to minimise the number of evictions. 

Our subsidiary, Castell Ventures, provides care and support to residents through extra care schemes and out in the community. We run projects supporting homelessness, ex-offenders, older and younger people. We are partners in projects such as the Housing First Initiative helping rough sleepers. We also provide accommodation to organisations working with vulnerable young people, young care leavers and those experiencing domestic abuse and human trafficking.

The causes of homelessness are complex and varied. The number of people who sleep out on the streets in towns and cities across Wales is growing. There is also a worrying hidden problem – the increasing number of people and families living in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation, those who have lost their homes and those sofa surfing.

No-one chooses to be homeless. Homelessness can force people into social exclusion and can be associated with physical and mental health problems. The Homeless World Cup works to help end this crisis. Sports like football are important to help combat these issues by helping those involved build relationships, discipline and learn to trust and share with their team mates.

We’re delighted that Cardiff has been chosen to host this year’s Homeless World Cup. Join us and show your support.

The 17th edition of the Homeless World Cup takes place in Cardiff’s Bute Park, from July 27 – August 3.

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

Read All
Cash-strapped council warns it's at breaking point as neighbour places homeless people in its town
homeless peoples' tents in street
Homelessness

Cash-strapped council warns it's at breaking point as neighbour places homeless people in its town

Homeless families occupy council housing offices on Halloween in plea to fix 'houses of horror'
Homeless families at a protest about council housing
Homelessness

Homeless families occupy council housing offices on Halloween in plea to fix 'houses of horror'

'It should incense us all': Rough sleeping in London hits new record high
A rough sleeper's tent
Rough sleeping

'It should incense us all': Rough sleeping in London hits new record high

Autumn budget: Labour's failure to raise housing benefit to keep up with rents is 'deeply worrying'
a person's hands on a calculator
Housing benefits

Autumn budget: Labour's failure to raise housing benefit to keep up with rents is 'deeply worrying'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue