The recession and its knock-on effects on the economy are simultaneously both increasing the demand for our services and reducing our current funding streams.  There are an increasing number of families facing the terrifying prospect of losing their home. Sometimes all it takes is one bit of bad luck – redundancy, illness, or the breakdown of a relationship – to trigger a devastating spiral of arrears, eviction and homelessness. Additionally, public spending cuts are generating more unemployment and short-term working, and thus more people are struggling to pay their mortgages.

On the income side (i) the Legal Services Commission grant will not be renewed in 2011-12, (ii) STRIDE, despite a £2m. turnover last year, made no profits (and thus there was no gift aid to SHARP), and (iii) LSECC revenue is down due to unlet spaces in the Phoenix Yard and Phoenix Studios developments.

The worst case scenario is that we would be able to help only half of those who need our assistance, which could mean that 600-700 individuals and families could have nowhere to go in 2011-12 for independent specialist housing advice and support in the city and the two counties. This would mean:
 

• Increasing numbers of homeless people.  Currently there are not enough spaces in hostels to accommodate even the existing number of homeless people. More homelessness means an increasing number of people will be forced to sleep rough on the streets of Leicester. Another bad winter like this one could mean people dying of hypothermia on the streets of Leicester.
   
• More families being split up as a result of them becoming homeless. This could mean an increasing number of children having to be taken into care. Other negative impacts on children include lower educational attainment due to the lack of a proper home, greater ill-health as a result of cramped living conditions and reduced emotional well-being as a result of worries and fears about their future.
   
• Increasing fear of crime.  This could arise as a result of the increased numbers of people sleeping rough – people who struggle to earn a living and who may then turn to crime to survive. Increased visibility of rough sleepers affects everyone – shoppers, people working late, theatergoers, etc. This is said to adversely affect local shops and businesses which could result in more of them closing down.
   
• Increasing demands on health services. More people sleeping rough means more demands on Accident & Emergency Services (assaults and respiratory conditions). And the worry caused by struggling to pay rent or a mortgage affects the general well-being and mental health of adults and young people. Given that 80% of SHARP’s clients have either a physical or mental health condition, it is safe to assume that there is likely to be a substantial increase in people suffering from depression and stress-related illness.  For clients with mental health problems in particular, many struggle simply to make sense of their situation, let alone trying to resolve it unaided.

Taking all these factors into account, our calculation is that we need to raise £100,000 during 2011 in order to be able to maintain the services that we currently provide.

We have therefore launched an appeal to raise £100,000 by 31st December. If we are unable to raise that sum, our services will have to be restricted during the course of the year.

PLEASE HELP NOW!

Sign our Statement of Support either at the reception desk, 13 Welford Road or online at www.facebook.com/Sharp-Leicester

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, www.facebook.com/Sharp-Leicester or www.twitter.com/LEICESTERSHARP

Make a donation to our charity, either at our reception desk at 13 Welford Road or send a cheque by post to:
The Treasurer, SHARP, 13, Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AD

Take part in a sponsored event on behalf of SHARP

Write in support of SHARP to your local councillor, MP or the Leicester Mercury