Those who have experienced homelessness have unique insights, empathy, and understanding that can truly make a difference in supporting systems and policy makers to create effective and long-lasting solutions to homelessness. Those who have been through it know it best.

Quote from steering group member

In this blog, Groundswell tell us about their new charter which sets out their asks for the new government.

At Groundswell we believe that everyone has the right to a home, the right to healthcare and the right opportunities to improve their lives. People experiencing homelessness are often denied their rights, feel unaware of them and struggle to enact them. We want this to change.

In preparation for the general election, Groundswell and Amnesty UK collaborated with people who have experience of homelessness to ensure that their voice and priorities are heard by policy makers.

Over 8 months, we met with 11 homelessness organisations, including Homeless Link, and 71 participants, 72% of which had previously experienced homelessness to find out what their priorities were for the next government. Through extensive development and support from a peer-led steering group, we are pleased to launch our Charter ‘Ending Homelessness Together – Our Voice, Our Rights’, which has been developed and led by people with experience of homelessness.

The Charter sets out the keys asks for the new government as prioritised by people with experience of homelessness. It provides evidence from a human rights perspective to reinforce and demonstrate the necessity for each ask to be upheld.

Our Voice – key priorities for change

We must:

  • Acknowledge that homelessness is not only a housing issue but also a health issue, and must be tackled to address health inequalities.
  • Provide more and better financial support for people experiencing homelessness, through making renting affordable and addressing benefit levels.
  • Improve and increase housing provision, including temporary accommodation and review wider homelessness regulations.
  • Ensure that all future policy decisions are fully informed by and created with people with lived experience.

Read the full charter on the Groundswell website.