Homeless charity with shops across Birmingham launch emergency accommodation campaign

Shelter, which has four shops in Birmingham and the surrounding area, have started a petition which will be sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to demand emergency accommodation for homeless people at Christmas.

“As we head into another cold winter during the ongoing pandemic, people are on the streets. It’s heartbreaking,” a charity spokesperson said.

“Our services are being approached by people who need emergency accommodation. These people are being turned away by councils and often told they have no rights.”

Shelter have said that in the long term, more affordable social housing needs to be built to end homlessness, but the charity has said that urgent action for the winter is needed now.

The spokesperson added: “To keep all homeless people safe this winter, we’re calling on the government to take the first step in a road map out of homelessness by:

• publishing clear guidance to councils that everyone at risk of sleeping on the streets should be offered safe emergency accommodation and support  
• making sure councils have adequate funding to provide it   

“Everyone should have the right to a safe and warm place to stay this winter.”

Shelter will be handing in the signatures they collect to No. 10 Downing Street before Christmas.

To support the charity in other ways, find the locations and contact details of Shelter shops in the Birmingham region below.

Erdington Furniture Shop,

tel: 0121 314 2586

193 High St, Erdington

Birmingham B23 6SZ, UK

Tunstall Community Shop

tel: 01782 810693

87 High Street, Tunstall, ST6 5TA

West Bridgford

tel: 0115 981 0503

25 Tudor Square, West Bridgford

West Bromwich Furniture Shop

tel: 0121 553 3242

Unit 1 - 2, Kings Square, West Bromwich