The Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday joined faith leaders to condemn the “tragedy” of homelessness and back our appeal.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Church of England’s most senior bishop, urged a “global end to homelessness”.
He supported our festive appeal to raise vital funds for a 24-hour drop-in shelter in London offering support for homeless women, some of the most at-risk population without a place to stay.
The Archbishop was joined by 20 representatives of major British faith groups, which include Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Quakers and Zoroastrians, all calling for action to tackle the crisis.
In a statement supporting our Homeless Appeal, the group described their plea as a “non-partisan, cross-communal global campaign” to fight the blight of homelessness on people’s lives.
They also backed the World’s Big Sleep Out, which is being held in Trafalgar Square in association with our appeal.
Thousands in London and in 49 other cities worldwide will lie on the concrete in sleeping bags and on cardboard boxes to highlight the struggle rough sleepers endure nightly.
Nearly 150 people were known to have died rough sleeping on the streets of London last year. The sleep out is supported by celebrities including Helen Mirren.
The Archbishop said: “Homelessness is a tragedy that ought to belong in the past. Everyone deserves access to safe and stable housing; it is vital for human dignity, equality and justice.
“Through the work of the Commission on Housing, Church and Community, we are considering what else we could and should be doing, as a Church and as a nation, to build communities in which all members flourish.
“We support those across the world participating in the World’s Big Sleep Out.”
The 20 signatories of the group statement included Rabbi David Mason of the Muswell Hill Synagogue, Talat Shaikh, chairman of the Muslim Community and Education Centre, Dr Deesha Chadha, interfaith committee member for Hindu Forum of Britain, Jasvir Singh, chairman of City Sikhs Network, Fred Ashmore of the London Quakers, Ven Bogoda Seelawimala, head of London Buddhist Vihara, and Malcolm Deboo, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe.
In their statement, the group said: “As people of faith in London from eight different communities who care deeply about the welfare of the whole of society, we applaud the Independent’s Help Our Homeless campaign and write in support of the World’s Big Sleep Out.
“In our capital city, there are 170,000 homeless people, as well as more than 1,200 people sleeping rough. A recent report showed that someone becomes street homeless every two hours.
“Behind the big statistics lie complicated human stories for every individual. They need our help to redress this social injustice.”
The Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, also gave her support, adding: “None of the thousands of homeless in greater London should face the proposition of not knowing where they might sleep that night, but they do and there is no excuse.
“I call on all across London to join its call to end global homelessness by taking part in the World’s Big Sleep Out on December 7.”
London faith leaders backing our appeal
1. Mustafa Field OBE – Director, Faiths Forum for London
2. Zaki Cooper – Co-Chair, Indian Jewish Association
3. Sayed Yousif Al Khoei OBE – Director, Al Khoei Foundation
4. Fred Ashmore – Representative of London Quakers
5. The Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon of Westminster, Westminster Abbey
6. Reverend Margaret Cave – Church of England Team Rector, East Greenwich Team Ministry and Chair of Trustees, Greenwich Winter Night Shelter.
7. Dr Deesha Chadha – Committee Member, Hindu Forum of Britain and Co-Chair of Faiths Forum for London
8. Don De Silva – University Buddhist Chaplain and former UNEP Official
9. Malcolm Deboo – President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
10. Reverend Jon Dal Din – Director, Westminster Interfaith
11. Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE – Director, Ohr Avrohom – Light of Abraham
12. Rajnish Kashyap – Director, Hindu Council UK
13. Leonie Lewis MBE – Consultant, Cities Faith & Community Forum
14. Rabbi David Mason – Muswell Hill Synagogue and Executive member, Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue.
15. Khizar Mohammad – Media and Communications Manager, East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre
16. Reverend Mark Poulson – Bishop of London’s Office
17. Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala – Head, London Buddhist Vihara
18. Talat Shaikh – Trustee and Chairperson, Muslim Community and Education Centre
19. Dr Natubhai Shah MBE – Founder Chair/CEO, Jain Network
20. Jasvir Singh OBE – Director, City Sikhs Network
This year’s Christmas campaign is for The Homeless Fund, which will finance desperately needed services. The campaign will highlight the worst instances of homelessness globally, with money raised going to help homeless projects in London. Click here to donate.
