As a theatre group, we recognise our individual journeys as artists have collided with each other and met in York. As members of Hand-Up Theatre, our aim is to create performance that interrogates all aspects of homelessness and it would be of great significance to place our work in the city we reside in, rather than aim our sights too broadly. Within the last Homeless Review of York, published by the City of York Council, targets are looked at in the City of York Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018. It is a sad state of affairs. The council have little hope of reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation, stating they hope to maintain it at 56 ‘as we acknowledge in current financial climate/welfare benefit reforms that vulnerable people will continue to be affected by homelessness’. This is not to mention the amount of rough sleepers in the York area, which has risen to 18 when the target was 2 in the 2015/16 financial year.

Hand-Up Theatre are in the process of learning the complexities of the council’s tasks and the power they can legitimately have to help the worst off in the city. The report engages in this point under the heading Risk Management, explaining that:
‘There is a continued risk that due to current economic climate and changes at a national level, unless mitigation can be put in place to support the most vulnerable, we will see an increase in homelessness within the city. York has seen an increase in rough sleeping despite the commitment of agencies. It is only through the ongoing concerted effort of staff and the resources channelled into homeless that we are able to maintain the current levels.’ 

Local councils are struggling to MAINTAIN the levels of homelessness, let alone improve upon it. Charities working as lodgings, support centres and soup kitchens are a continued source of hope in these confusing times and will be needed more than ever in the years to come.

Below is the latest York Homeless Review, along with websites for important charities helping in the fight against homelessness.

https://www.york.gov.uk/down…/…/11323/homeless_review_201516

http://www.york-arclight.co.uk/

https://www.sash-uk.org.uk/

http://www.carecent.org/