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November 2020

News of the second lockdown prompted Glass Door to call for urgent action from government to support people facing homelessness. Glass Door's perspective featured in several media outlets including the Independent and The Big Issue.


Homeless charities speak out

Social affairs correspondent at the Independent, May Bulman, quoted Glass Door CEO Lucy Abraham--along with the heads of other homeless charities Crisis and Centrepoint--for a story published on 2 November. All three charities are calling for more action from government if we are to avoid a homelessness crisis this winter.

A tragedy in the making

Lucy asks how people facing homelessness can stay safe during the second wave of coronavirus:

The advice from government is to stay home and save lives, but what does this mean for someone who is homeless?

"Glass Door’s frontline staff are already seeing the impact of people losing their jobs and homes, with an increase in people who have never been homeless before turning to the charity.

"The funds currently set aside is less than what was available last winter. During a global health pandemic and at a time when we know many people are facing losing jobs and homes, the lack of a strong response from central government is a tragedy in the making."

"Very worrying"

The plight of people sleeping rough during lockdown 2.0 was also highlighted by Liam Geraghty in a story in The Big Issue, also published on 2 November. Glass Door CEO Lucy shared her concerns:

We have learnt that no one is safe unless we are all safe, and we urge the Government to put more resources into protecting rough sleepers this winter.

Lucy points out the big contrast with the first lockdown where the government acted quickly to house thousands of homeless people in hotels:

We know of no plans from central government to house rough sleepers in hotels during this second lockdown or indeed, at all this winter. It is very worrying.


No one should have to sleep on the streets of London, especially at Christmas. And especially not during a global pandemic. 

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