The number of homeless people seeking help from local charity Aylesbury Homeless Action Group (AHAG) has risen by 109% over the past year.
The charity said cuts by the government mean there are only five emergency bed spaces across the local area that can be accessed by those living the trauma of street homelessness.
AHAG are a local homeless charity that works towards reducing the impact homelessness has on both the individual and the wider community. Over the last year, the volume of people accessing the charity for free support and advice on their housing issues has increased. This year over 270 individuals have already received support from them with 173 of those disclosed that they were at risk of having no place of safety to sleep and 55 already street homeless or sleeping in their vehicle.
The funding set aside for emergency accommodation has been reduced by central government and there are just five funded bed spaces available in the area. AHAG funded fifty-five additional nights emergency accommodation during 2022 and their own funding is now so low that we may only be able to provide a further twelve.
AHAG have now launched their first urgent appeal for donations to support those who would otherwise be at risk from sleeping on the streets.
AHAG work closely with supporting agencies within the area under the Rough Sleeper Initiative and for the benefit of the person experiencing housing the trauma of homelessness.