Thousands of UK Churches Pray on Homelessness Sunday

The plight of homeless people and families forced to live in temporary accommodation and overcrowded conditions were reflected by more than 2,000 churches across the UK on Sunday.

Homelessness Sunday is an annual day of prayer and action intended to draw attention to the devastating effects of homelessness in all its forms.

Alison Gelder, chief executive of Housing Justice, a Christian charity campaigning to improve housing policy, said: "Our homes are fundamental to our identity as human beings. Without a safe and adequate home it is impossible to live and develop as a person - it's the ultimate social exclusion.

"On Homelessness Sunday we will be asking church members to pause and consider the plight of people who do not have a home and so are unable to participate fully in society."

There are around 100,000 households in temporary accommodation in the UK, and a further 500,000 families living in overcrowded conditions, according to Government figures.

Housing Justice aims to highlight the growing problem of homelessness among people from Eastern European countries who have come to the UK to work, but are not entitled to benefits and face destitution if they lose their jobs.

It is estimated that 35 per cent of rough sleepers in London are from Poland and the other seven countries that joined the EU in 2004.

In addition, the charity wants Christians to reflect on the predicament of Gypsy and traveller communities who are unable to find places on legal sites.

Ms Gelder said: "As well as thinking about the problem church members will be asked to consider what they can do as individuals and as congregations to address the injustice.

"Churches and individual Christians can offer practical help to homeless and badly housed people as well as campaigning for change at a local and national level.

"Nationally we want the Government to give priority to housing in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review so that the injustices we've identified can begin to be tackled.

"In particular we would like the government to commit itself to building more family homes to tackle homelessness and overcrowding."