A Southampton-based homeless charity has participated in a mass lobby day in Parliament to help combat homelessness.

Representatives from Two Saints – which has homeless shelters in Millbrook Road West and Cranbury Avenue – engaged in discussions with various MPs from across Hampshire, including Caroline Dinenage on March 5, emphasising the need for urgent action to address homelessness nationwide.

The charity said it wanted to ensure effective measures to combat homelessness are on the agenda in the general election, which will take place before January 2025, echoing the objectives outlined in Homeless Link's manifesto.

It comes as Hampshire County Council announced proposals to withdraw all funding for homelessness services from March 2025, around £2 million.

The council blamed "intense financial pressures" and said: "We have no choice but to consider changing or reducing services."

Two Saints said it had the opportunity for discussions addressing the proposed funding cuts and its potential impact.

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Daily Echo:

Richard Gammage, chief executive of Two Saints, expressed his gratitude for the event, stating: "The extensive support for the event shows how passionate people are about preventing homelessness and, where it does happen, supporting those in most need.

“We look to our political leaders to show the same commitment and to fund the sector properly."

Paula-May Houghton Clarke, executive director of people and programmes at Two Saints, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the enthusiastic atmosphere of the day and the unity demonstrated by all participants rallying behind one common cause.

She added: “It was a great day and such a privilege to join with so many organisations in our sector working towards a common goal; to ensure an effective plan to end homelessness is on the agenda for the upcoming election.

“What was particularly beneficial was the opportunity to meet collectively with MPs from the areas that we support so we could paint the picture of the true impact of the proposed cuts across Hampshire.”