HJC Informs and Educates
April 12, 2023
Housing Justice Cymru (HJC) helped to inform the general public on issues surrounding homelessness through expert comment in the Welsh media over the autumn and winter months.
Our work on hosting individuals with no recourse to public funds and supporting those experiencing homelessness attracted a lot of attention.
HJC Director for Wales, Bonnie Williams, joined a panel debate on the BBC Wales flagship weekly current affairs programme, BBC Wales Live, on 9th November. During the discussions that took place, Bonnie provided information about hosting with HJC and appealed for more hosts to come forwards, as well as raising awareness around hosting need, support available for hosts and opportunities in Wales.
Bonnie was further interviewed by Global News, a network that supplies news bulletins to Heart, Capital and Smooth Radio across Wales, on 22nd December. During the interview, Bonnie shared information about the work that Housing Justice Cymru does across Wales including the hosting project, Citadel and Faith in Affordable Housing, with a particular focus on raising awareness around hosting and the need for more hosts.
HJC Hosting Manager, Romy Wood, was interviewed by local Swansea radio station, Radio Tircoed, on 21st October. During her conversation with the presenter, Romy was able to inform listeners about the HJC Hosting project, how great the need for hosts is, and the support available for hosts. Romy also invited anyone interested in becoming a host to join the HJC online ‘Discover the World of Hosting’ event on 27th October.
Bonnie Williams was interviewed alongside an individual HJC supports through the Citadel programme in Swansea by BBC Wales on 11th December. Bonnie was able to inform viewers about the vital work undertaken by the Citadel programme and appeal for more volunteers to join the team. During the interview, the supported individual showed viewers his new flat and talked about his journey out of homelessness, including how HJC have supported him.
Bonnie was asked to give evidence in the Senedd to inform the inquiry into homelessness. The findings have now been published in the Local Government and Housing Committee’s report: Homelessness.
Bonnie was also asked to give evidence in the Senedd to inform the inquiry into housing Ukrainian refugees The findings of the inquiry have now been published in the Local Government and Housing Committee’s report: Housing Ukrainian Refugees.
Housing Justice was featured in the Big Issue article ‘Which charities are fighting homelessness in the UK’ on 13th December 2022 – you can read the article here.
The Housing Justice Cymru team also attended a number of information events during this period including the following:
Homes for Ukraine
The team attended a number of informal drop-in meetings to provide support and information, as well an event at a Welcome Centre for refugees.
Seeking Sanctuary: Hosting in Wales
The team attended a monthly gathering for hosts in Bridgend, as well as four pop-up meetings aimed at providing support and information in various locations around Gwynedd.
Citadel
The team presented at a Churches Together Meeting in Neath Port Talbot and a Rotary Club Meeting in Wrexham.
