CRASH supports vulnerable homelessness voluntary sector.

The publication today of Survey of Needs and Provision (SNAP): Services for Homeless Single People and Couples in England is a milestone. CRASH, together with the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), has co-funded this groundbreaking independent research which was carried out by Homeless Link and Resource Information Service. For the first time, there is now an accurate picture of the overall extent of services, including hostels, day centres and supported accommodation showing the true complexity and vulnerability of the client group it supports.

CRASH has, from its earliest days, always believed that quality information, evidence and research is essential to effective targeting of its activities in developing and improving facilities for homeless people. CRASH works in collaboration with the construction industry to help homelessness agencies improve the buildings they use to provide their services.

The Survey is very wide ranging but CRASH, the construction industry's own charity, is interested in services which do not attract statutory funding and, in particular, the physical environment and standards of buildings in which services are provided. The findings on these points show that Day Centres - spaces to socialise and provide practical help and advice to homeless people- face many challenges. On an average day around 10,000 people access these 187 day centres. Most are run by small voluntary sector organisations. Only 20% are purpose built, 25% have not been refurbished for over 10 years and over 50% say that the size of their building restricts the services they can deliver, for example, adaptations for disability, interview rooms etc.

The survey gives some insights into the great work that is being done within projects, but the buildings in which they operate have many shortcomings.

Ian Tyler (CRASH President) said:
"We welcome this survey. Clearly there are many shortcomings in the premises used to deliver services. I am determined that CRASH organises its resources on the basis of the current pattern of needs and targets our contribution most effectively. This is a good start. We know with greater accuracy how projects are distributed throughout the country, more about the upgrade intentions and we look forward to working with projects to deliver improvements to the facilities that support service improvements."