Cambridge Cyrenians have been awarded a Homelessness Prevention Grant from Cambridge City Council for 2024-25. This funding will go towards our Older Homeless Service, which helps individuals over the age of 45 to access and maintain long-term accommodation, as well as providing essential support services for single homeless people in the city.

Tailored support that improves wellbeing

The Older Homeless Service responds to an urgent need for tailored long-term support for older people engaged with local homelessness services. Homelessness and hostel-living in later life can exacerbate dependency and reduce self-esteem, leading to social isolation and accelerating physical and mental decline. We see the effects of this in the lives of the residents we support. 66% of residents supported by the OHS have a physical health issue and 55% have a diagnosed mental illness.

Reducing social isolation and loneliness

The move from street homelessness to housing can also bring with it the loss of friendships with others experiencing homelessness. In a 2015 study by Crisis, 61% of the homeless service users who participated classified themselves as ‘lonely’. Over a third of service users participating reported ‘often’ feeling isolated and lacking companionship.[1]

Emma Hooton, Head of Services at Cambridge Cyrenians, emphasised the importance of the Older Homeless Services in light of current needs in Cambridge, stating, “In recent years we’ve seen an increasing need for support to help older people maintain their tenancies. This year, our focus remains on providing tailored support to meet the unique needs of our service users. This funding allows us to continue our vital work in helping older homeless individuals secure stable accommodation, stay in their homes, and not return to homelessness.”

Working in partnership

The grant allocation is part of a broader initiative by Cambridge City Council to support various voluntary and community organisations working on homelessness prevention projects. Other recipients of the funding include organisations providing employment advice, safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse, and support services for rough sleepers.

Commenting on the council’s continued support, Cllr Gerri Bird, Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness, said: “The grants that the council gives each year help fund some of the ongoing and vital work done by the partnership of organisations across Cambridge to relieve some of the most vulnerable members of our community from rough sleeping and the threat of homelessness.”

Cambridge Cyrenians extends its gratitude to Cambridge City Council for its continued support and looks forward to continuing its collaborative efforts to combat homelessness in the region.

[1] Sanders, B. and Brown, B. (2015) ‘I was all on my own’: experiences of loneliness and isolation amongst homeless people. Crisis. Available at: https://www.crisis.org.uk/media/20504/crisis_i_was_all_on_my_own_2016.pdf