The National Council of YMCAs responds to latest rough sleeping figures for Wales.
Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of the National Council of YMCAs, said: “It is a travesty that anyone should have to sleep rough. The news that 313 people were identified as sleeping out in the latest national rough sleeping count for Wales should be a wake-up call for the Assembly and evidence that more needs to be done to protect those who are most vulnerable.
“Staff and volunteers at YMCA work 365-days-a-year to support people who have had no choice but to sleep out, helping them to leave their own cycle of homelessness and overcome the difficult and personal issues that resulted in them rough sleeping.
“However, prevention is always better than cure and that’s why we’re calling on the Assembly to tackle the root causes of rough sleeping, such as low levels of house building and a lack of affordable housing models.
“Only then will we finally see a reduction in rough sleeping and less people having to combat the devastating impact that sleeping on the streets can have on long-term physical and mental health.”
- 19 independent YMCAs serve almost 130 communities across Wales, providing safe, supported accommodation for almost 1,000 people every year.
- YMCAs in Wales and England are affiliated to the National Council of YMCAs.