The problem of homelessness is just as relevant as it was when Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre made his rallying speech on Radio Luxembourg on February 1, 1954.
Shock figures released yesterday (1 February) by CHAIN (Combined Homelessness and Information Network) reveal a 23% rise in homelessness between October to December, compared to the same period in 2022. A huge 4,359 rough sleepers were recorded in London, an increase of 819 over the previous year.
The figures were released the same day as our community joined an international Uprising of Kindness campaign, marking 70 years since Abbé Pierre’s public appeal.
He called for solidarity in response to the homelessness situation in France, where people were dying from the cold on the streets of Paris, including a woman who died still clutching an eviction notice. His 1954 Uprising of Kindness appeal triggered unprecedented public generosity and led to the growth of the Emmaus movement.
A movement born out of tragedy
Seventy years on and the issue of homelessness is still going strong, says our Partnership Manager, Ross Watkins.
He said: “The Emmaus movement was born out of tragedy and the coming together of a nation, who raised an unprecedented amount of funds to try and tackle the needless deaths of people rough sleeping.
“The sad fact is this is still happening on our streets seven decades later. Newly released CHAIN figures by the London Datastore show a 23% rise in homelessness from October to December in 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
“This increase in rough sleepers is unacceptable in this day and age. Our charity is currently full to capacity and I know other homelessness organisations are in the same position. In October to December 2022 we received 29 referrals to our service, this leapt by 51% to 41 in the same period of 2023.
“It’s tragic that we find ourselves facing the same issues that Abbé Pierre was 70 years ago. He called on public support and they stepped up, as they still do today and we are grateful for their incredible support. We do need the same level of support and compassion from the government to help tackle this urgent situation.”
Emmaus UK’s #BeMoreKind campaign and Day of Action on the 70th anniversary of Abbé Pierre’s historic broadcast is being marked by a number of events including sleep-outs and charity shop sales, all to continue raising awareness of homelessness.
Rallying speech
In his rallying speech, Abbe Pierre’s said: “My friends, come and help. A woman froze to death tonight, on the pavement of Sebastopol Boulevard, clutching the eviction notice that had made her homeless the day before.
“Every night, more than 2,000 people endure the cold, without food, without bread, and more than one is almost naked. To face this horror, emergency lodgings are not enough. Hear me; we have to act now and open aid centres for the homeless. There is no time to waste.”
His legendary address brought widespread attention to homelessness across the whole of France and raised 500 million francs to create emergency shelters where he wanted signs that read: “If you are suffering, whoever you are, come in. Eat, sleep, and regain hope. Here you are loved.”
Funds raised from the sale of items within our charity shops are used to support up to 48 people who have experienced homelessness. We provide people with a home, meaningful work in their social enterprise, and an opportunity to regain lost self-esteem to help rebuild their lives. More details here.
If you’d like to make a donation to any of our charity shops, check out their opening hours and addresses on the link here.