The COVID-19 crisis has provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to help rough sleepers come off the streets and rebuild their lives. In March, the Government asked councils to find emergency accommodation for the homeless. Since then, Enfield Council has housed 221 rough sleepers in accommodation such as hotels andB&Bs. Our rough sleeper clients are vulnerable - domestic abuse survivors, care leavers, ex-service personnel, ex-offenders and people who have lost everything. Many have little more than the clothes on their back. The Council and its partners are doing everything they can to ensure they don’t return to their old lives on the streets. We want to give them a fresh start in a place of their own. Sadly, we don’t have the funding for furniture and a host of other first home basics. That’s why we are appealing to you to give the Borough’s homeless a helping hand by funding home-starter kits to help them make a home.

What we'll deliver:

• Home-starter kits (containing everything from furniture to fridges and cutlery to salt and pepper shakers)

Why it's a great idea:

- It will ensure 10 rough sleepers with support needs, such as mental health illness or alcohol and substance abuse issues, have everything they need to make a place of their own a proper home - It will help keep them off the streets and safe - It will give them a base from which to rebuild their lives - The average age at death of people who experience homelessness is 44 for men and 42 for women – so this project will no doubt save lives.

Steps to get it done:

• Reach crowdfunding target
• Support homeless clients to rebuild their lives

This project will enable us to further build on the success of the Enfield Stands Together, our community support scheme in response to the COVID-19 crisis, which helps residents across the Borough who are unable to rely on family or trusted friends for practical support. As a local authority, we are committed to using all our resources and creativity to make the experience of homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. For more see our Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2025.