Homelessness Stinks

Homelessness is messy and unpleasant; without being able to clean themselves or their clothes properly, the people trapped in homelessness quickly lose their dignity and self esteem. It’s often hard to feel much sympathy for the “smelly tramp” or “wino” you see on the street, but each person has a history that in nearly every case involves abuse, family breakdown, mental illness, redundancy or bereavement.

Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice and everyone is vulnerable.

Homelessness quickly makes people feel isolated and helpless – homeless people are more frequently victims of crime, more likely to suffer from violence, more likely to be seriously ill. Homeless people are cut off from the rest of society and returning to normal life becomes more and more difficult the longer they live without a home.

About Green Pastures

Green Pastures was started in 1999 by three people who were very concerned about homelessness in Southport. Using their own savings they purchased two flats and used them to give a home to two homeless families. Since then, Green Pastures has made a significant contribution to reducing homelessness in the area, currently housing around 214 formerly homeless people. Green Pastures is made up of people who believe that providing accommodation and on-going care for people who have nothing is a culturally relevant expression of their Christian faith.

We purchase modest properties on the open market. We then equip the property, find and place tenants and pastorally support them by filling in forms and benefit claims, maintaining the accommodation, caring for the tenant and helping them find employment. To give tenants security we allow them to stay in our property for as long as they wish.
Since 1999 Green Pastures has housed and cared more than 900 people. Our work with tenants is very “hands on” as we recognise that housing a homeless person is the beginning of a journey to regaining self-respect and dignity, not the end. Green Pastures is now working with 30 partners across the UK to help end homelessness in their cities towns and villages.

What your Church can do

If your church wants to care for homless people but is unable to provide suitable accomodation for them to stay in then Green Pastures can help. If you would like to find out more about Green Pastures and how they can help your church contact us at lovelondon@premier.org.uk