MP sees firsthand Salvation Army homelessness support

A centre which provides accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness in the London Borough of Camden welcomed Derek Thomas MP for St Ives today.

The visit was arranged on a day when parliament was sitting and the MP was nearby in Westminster and provided an opportunity to highlight some of the issues faced by services users at Salvation Army run centres.

The MP spent time meeting residents talking to them about their experiences and concerns. He received a tour of the centre by staff and heard about the programmes offered, as well as the positive outcomes.

Derek Thomas MP (Conservative, St Ives) said: “I was delighted to meet residents and staff at The Salvation Army's Cambria House lifehouse. I already link up with the community work of The Salvation Army’s church centre in my own constituency and it was good to see first-hand its homelessness work. 

“Keeping a roof over people’s heads is a key priority so real working solutions are needed to tackle the complex issues surrounding homelessness.”

The Salvation Army’s Cambria House lifehouse works with the London Borough of Camden to help resettle single men experiencing homelessness who are engaging with other services. Accommodation is provided in 48 self-contained ensuite bedsits with shared kitchen and lounge facilities.

Lieutenant Daniel Holland, Assistant Regional Manager for The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services, said: “It was good to welcome Derek Thomas MP to Cambria House.  It gave us opportunity to highlight to him the work The Salvation Army is doing through its lifehouses across the UK which is helping to transform the lives of many people.

"We believe that providing a bed alone doesn’t always solve the cycle of homelessness so we work hard to support our service users, helping them to achieve their goals, whatever they may be. 

“We are grateful to Derek for pledging to help keep the topic of supported housing on the radar and to raise the issue in parliament.  It is important as Government prepares its long-term spending plans that local authority funding is sustainable and that homelessness is at the heart of that.”