Milton Keynes Homelessness Partnership Launch 2020 World Homeless Day Campaign #WhatWouldYouDo #ThinkDifferently

In the lead up to World Homeless Day 2020 on the 10^th October, the Milton Keynes Homelessness Partnership (MKHP) has launched its awareness campaign, “Homelessness: ‘What Would You Do?”

A series of compelling and enlightening interviews with people from across Milton Keynes who are, or who have experienced homelessness are being released to tell their stories, dispel myths and challenge stereotypes. The campaign invites us all to think differently about homelessness and the people experiencing it.

Featuring in the campaign, Ruth Legh-Smith shares her experiences of being homeless and says “Generally I think there’s a stereotype to homelessness and there isn’t. Most people are about a month away from it [homelessness] if they lose their job”.

Humberto Candido, reflecting on his circumstances says “We are all human. I have a lot to give. On the streets you lose your dignity. We all deserve a chance. Don’t give up.”

MK Homelessness Partnership, (MKHP) Chief Executive, Tracey McCillen says ‘We want to draw attention to the real people who are or have experienced homelessness. We want their stories to be heard. We need to understand that any one of us could experience homelessness, and more easily than we realise. Homelessness happens to real people from all walks of life and it’s happening in our local community now”.

McCillen continues “There is widespread misconception about people experiencing homelessness. Many think that it’s just rough sleeping. It's not that simple. You might be rough sleeping, but you could also be a sofa surfer or in temporary accommodation. The complexities and causes are many from domestic violence, to losing a job, addiction to relationship breakdowns or changing family circumstances. We should never make assumptions as each persons’ story is different. We can end homelessness, but we need to think differently and focus on creative and long-term solutions to prevent it happening in the first place.”

In his maiden speech to Parliament earlier this year, local MP for Milton Keynes North, Ben Everitt, said “Milton Keynes is a wonderful place. It has issues like any other town. We have an issue with homelessness. My first constituency meeting as MP for MK North was with the Homelessness Partnership. They do fantastic work.”

Working alongside 34 Recognised Partner organisations MKHP provides a platform for collaboration, sharing good practice and importantly a collective voice and appetite for change.

The local business community in MK supports the work of the Partnership through the Tap to Donate scheme. Six units across in central MK, generously funded by MyMiltonKeynes provides an opportunity for the public to donate £3 in a secure way. The six sites are located at Jury’s Inn, Intu, Network Rail, CMK Train Station and John Lewis.

You can support the work of MKHP by sharing our social media campaign on-line, getting involved in sector volunteering or by donating. You can donate in person through tap to donate, online at www.justgiving.com/mkhomeless or by texting MKHOMELESS to 70085 to donate £5.

World Homeless Day is a global campaign scheduled for October 10th each year.

MKHP is the only umbrella organisation in Milton Keynes for the homeless sector. MKHP’s 34 Recognised Partners come together to form the Partnership. They comprise voluntary and statutory bodies. Recognised Partners bring together a wide and varied expertise and range of services across the sector.

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For further information, images, videos and interviews, contact Sam Hall, MKHP Communications Manager on 01908 382368 or 07779 081255 or email Sam.hall@mkhp.co.uk

Follow us: twitter @MKHP_ Facebook and through our website www.mkhp.co.uk

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Notes to Editors

MKHP’s vision is “Ending homelessness, achieving homes for all”. The MK Homelessness Partnership was created in response to a growing and shared concern from multi-agencies across Milton Keynes with the issues of and continued rise in homelessness. It was formally constituted as a CIO in December 2018 and is governed by an expert Board of Trustees. Registered charity: 1181232. Tel: 01908 382368 www.mkhp.co.uk

Video Assets Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdqwfdwY3uvmNvAqL_uRZ-EhpxYpM44Xl

1) Anyone can become homeless; 2) What homelessness looks like in MK; 3) How it feels to be homeless; 4) Perceptions of homelessness; 5) What is it like being homeless; 6) How you can help end homelessness

Photos

(1) Featured interviewee, Ruth Legh-Smith (Credit MKHP) Photos

(2) Melanie Beck, CEO My Milton Keynes & Ben Everitt MP launching Tap2Donate MK (credit MKHP)

The full list of MKHP Recognised Partners can be found at www.mkhp.co.uk The RPs come together as the Partnership and comprise expertise and services including emergency and temporary accommodation, mental health, food provision, supporting ex-offenders, migrants, domestic violence, addiction support, health and wellbeing, money advice, employment, and include voluntary sector and statutory bodies including MK Council, DWP and Healthwatch.

World Homeless Day was held for the first one on 10 th October 2010 and annually since. The purpose is to draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in an appropriate response. For one day each year, the spotlight on the issues helps to invigorate discussion and show support for finding the right solutions.

Milton Keynes Statistics :

The latest Index of Multiple Deprivation, published in 2019 suggests that

- eight areas of Milton Keynes are within the10% most deprived in England.

- two areas of Milton Keynes are among the 2% most deprived in England.

- Milton Keynes is ranked 23rd out of all 317 local authorities in England for barriers to housing and services; it sits within the 10% most deprived areas when being assessed on indicators such as housing affordability, overcrowding and homelessness. (Source: MKCF 2020 Vital Signs Report, based on the English indices of deprivation 2019, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Provisional homelessness data suggests the number of households living in temporary accommodation in Milton Keynes was 908, by July 2020. This number does not include those provided with emergency accommodation as part of Milton Keynes Council’s Covid-19 Rough Sleeper Protocol. (Source: Reported in MKCF 2020 Vital Signs Report)

MK Council put in place a COVID-19 Rough Sleeper Protocol and by June 2020 they had supported 127 people that were either rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping, providing emergency accommodation across Milton Keynes. (Source MKHP QPM & Briefing June/July 2020)

Average private rental prices in MK are higher than those seen across England as a whole, at £900 compared to £695, it is likely that increasing numbers of people with be priced out of the market and be at​risk. (Source Vital Signs 2020; Private rental market summary statistics in England April 2019 to March 2020, June 2020: ONS)