Crash, the construction industry charity that supports organisations working with homeless people, is gearing up for a surge in applications following a 23% rise in homelessness.
The charity, which is preparing to launch its annual “No Christmas Card” appeal, also anticipates that changes to government funding programmes will result in more homelessness charities turning to it for help.
Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government showed a 23% increase in the number of people sleeping rough in England in 2011 compared to 2010. The worst-affected area is London where people seen sleeping on the streets rose 43% on the previous year.
Charities that want to build, refurbish or extend premises – such as emergency night shelters, hostels, day and training centres or move-on accommodation – can apply to Crash for help with planning and project management, cash grants or access to construction materials.
Crash relies on the support of patron and supporting companies in the construction and property industry to supply pro-bono professional expertise, and provide materials free of charge or at greatly reduced cost.
Patron companies also make an annual contribution that covers the core running costs of the charity, allowing it to dedicate all the money it raises to charitable activities.
Between April 2011 and April 2012, Crash helped 85 homelessness projects, received 57 new applications and completed 41 projects.
It channeled £85,756 worth of professional expertise from patron companies’ staff, £92,629 of donated materials and £8,981 of discounted materials. It also awarded £146,153 in cash grants.
“The typical value of projects that we are asked to help with is £75,000,” explains project and resources manager Gareth Thomas MCIOB. “However, we are currently working on a £1m project for Emmaus Village Carlton in Bedford, and the Step by Step project was worth £3m.”
Step by Step, a charity providing shelter and support to young homeless people, embarked on a £3m residential and training centre project. Crash provided free management expertise via patrons AECOM and Mansell, as well as materials from Burdens and Lafarge.
In addition, Crash patron Bauder created and installed an innovative 400m2 flat roof for the centre.
Amanda Dubarry, chief executive of Step by Step, said: “The new building is a significant milestone for us; however it is the people Crash brings together from the construction industry, and the value of their professional expertise and free materials, that have given us a much better building allowing us to sustain our mission of transforming young lives.”
Crash helped shelter charity Step by Step with its £3m residential and training centre
