John Bird is set to run for the Mayor of London

Homelessness charity 'interested' in Bird's London Mayor's bid
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Publisher: Ian Morgan
Published: 23/03/2007 - 09:02:52 AM print version Printable version
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John Bird is set to run for the Mayor of London
John Bird is set to run for
the Mayor of London


A homelessness charity says it is 'interested' to learn of the Big Issue founder's decision to run for the Mayor of London.

But St Mungo's says John Bird's condemnation of the role of hostels fails to address the realities of London's homeless men and women.

A St Mungo's spokesman said: "Whilst St Mungo's believe it is vital that the next mayor has the interests of the most socially excluded population in London at the top of their agenda, we feel Mr Bird's condemnation of the role of hostels fails to address the realities facing thousands of London's homeless men and women every year.

"St Mungo's help more than 10,000 homeless and vulnerable people every year to find responsive and integrated solutions for problems with housing, employment, training and health. We work with men and women who have complex and overlapping needs that often exclude them from mainstream services.

"We are concerned that whilst, Mr Bird is passionate about the issues surrounding homelessness, he is detached from the realities of 21st century provision for the homeless and the work being done to improve their life chances.

"St Mungo's believe safe and secure housing is one of the first steps to tackling homelessness. Only then can people begin to address their substance use, mental and physical health as well as their employment and training needs.

"St Mungo's agree that more needs to be done to end the cycle of homelessness. We are always asking for further support for the men and women living in our hostels. And we too want to see better and more integrated services for the homeless. However, hostels are no longer just a shelter from the cold, they are spring boards for change."Homelessness charity 'interested' in Bird's London Mayor's bid
Back to Social Housing

Publisher: Ian Morgan
Published: 23/03/2007 - 09:02:52 AM print version Printable version
email article to a friend Send to a friend


John Bird is set to run for the Mayor of London
John Bird is set to run for
the Mayor of London
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A homelessness charity says it is 'interested' to learn of the Big Issue founder's decision to run for the Mayor of London.

But St Mungo's says John Bird's condemnation of the role of hostels fails to address the realities of London's homeless men and women.

A St Mungo's spokesman said: "Whilst St Mungo's believe it is vital that the next mayor has the interests of the most socially excluded population in London at the top of their agenda, we feel Mr Bird's condemnation of the role of hostels fails to address the realities facing thousands of London's homeless men and women every year.

"St Mungo's help more than 10,000 homeless and vulnerable people every year to find responsive and integrated solutions for problems with housing, employment, training and health. We work with men and women who have complex and overlapping needs that often exclude them from mainstream services.

"We are concerned that whilst, Mr Bird is passionate about the issues surrounding homelessness, he is detached from the realities of 21st century provision for the homeless and the work being done to improve their life chances.

"St Mungo's believe safe and secure housing is one of the first steps to tackling homelessness. Only then can people begin to address their substance use, mental and physical health as well as their employment and training needs.

"St Mungo's agree that more needs to be done to end the cycle of homelessness. We are always asking for further support for the men and women living in our hostels. And we too want to see better and more integrated services for the homeless. However, hostels are no longer just a shelter from the cold, they are spring boards for change."