Two Saints’ Chief Executive Richard Gammage has asked councillors to reconsider proposed funding cuts that would increase rough sleeping in the county and could ultimately result in a tragic increase in deaths amongst the homeless community.
Richard spoke up in response to the council’s proposals to axe funding for all homelessness services provided by the county and without offering realistic alternative solutions – cautioning council representatives that vulnerable individuals may be left to face the dangerous reality of sleeping rough.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Hampshire County Council was proposing significant funding cuts, including the potential decommissioning of its social inclusion funding. The council is currently grappling with a £132 million shortfall.
Richard addressed a number of councillors at Hampshire County Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee on Tuesday, 17 September.
In his deputation, Richard emphasised the worrying scale of the escalating homelessness crisis – and highlighted Two Saints’ crucial work to help people rebuild their lives for a brighter future.
He said to the committee: “We help, on any given night, about 850 individuals across Hampshire.
“These are people who, quite often, suffered multiple traumas. Some two thirds will have a diagnosed mental health issue, about one third will have a physical health issue, and something in the order of three quarters have an addiction.
“Ten per cent will be coming out of the criminal justice system, directly into our services – so if our services aren’t there, they’ll go directly into rough sleeping.
“We’re seeing homelessness increase to record levels nationally, and we’re seeing that increase reflected across Hampshire equally as well.”
Richard noted that the proposed funding cuts would jeopardise much-needed support for homeless services across the county – causing risk to the lives of the hundreds supported by Two Saints.
He continued: “The proposal to end all funding by April 2025 would be really difficult for us to deliver. Even an extension to 2026 would make a difference to our ability to be able to manage the buildings and staff.
“In any given year, we will lose about five individuals who will die in these services. We will also save a number of lives who wouldn’t normally be saved if they were rough sleeping.
“Those people who do die in our services currently die in a loving, supportive environment. If they’re rough sleeping, it’s not the same.
“We’re not able to make up the funding in any other way, so we’re really reliant on the delivery of the public funding that we get from the county.”
Councillors suggested a counter proposal which would allow the existing contract to run its course through to 2026. This recommendation goes to the cabinet now.
Paula-May Houghton Clarke, Executive Director of People and Programmes, said: “Richard gave a really strong and impassioned deputation, and the council was very complimentary to the work we do at Two Saints.”
Hampshire County Council is expected to decide on its proposed funding cuts on Monday, 14 October.
Watch Richard’s full deputation from 15:00 here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Rdh0K1ACs