Two Step Accommodation – Help For The Homeless
Those who hear the cries of the poor and do not listen will not be answered when they call out themselves (Proverbs 21:13)
Two Step is a homeless accommodation programme run by HOPE Worldwide UK, helping around 200 people on the streets of London find a home each and every year.
Formed by London Church of Christ members all the way back in 1993, the programme was incorporated into the faith based charity shortly after, and is an incredibly important cause we continue to support financially through basket collections and monthly standing orders.
HOPE is a charity deeply rooted in the Christian faith who are committed to honouring God by being generous to the needy without our London community (Proverbs 14:31)
What makes Two Step such a special initiative is that it not only helps individuals find somewhere to stay in the short term (Step 1) but also finds them longer term homes (Step 2) from which they can get back on their feet and avoid falling back into old patterns.
The Two Step programme has been hugely successful over the last 3 decades but there is still so much to be done to tackle the ever-present and growing issue of homelessness on the streets of cities across the UK and HOPE need all the help we can give them to achieve their goals.
Who are Two Step?
The Two step programme is a specialist housing service helping single people on the streets of London find both short and longer term housing.
Two step was established as a Christian faith based service by members of the London Church of Christ back in 1993 before being incorporated into the charity HOPE worldwide UK.
In the years since, Two Step has helped around 200 people every single year in London to find a home. HOPE work with shelters, day centres, and local councils who refer suitable individuals to the programme who are threatened with homelessness or are already homeless.
Since Two Step begun, they have assisted over 7000 people in finding homes and need our and your support to continue their fantastic work in the years to come.
Get help
Hope Worldwide UK, are currently only able to accept referrals at this current time. If you are currently homeless HOPE recommend that you get in touch with a local organisation in your location who are legally obliged to support you with advice, a ‘personal housing plan’ and emergency housing.
Bear in mind that priority is often given for emergency housing to those identified as high risk such as those with children, pregnant women, or victims of domestic abuse.
There is plenty of information on the HOPE Worldwide website about the process of contacting your local council and applying for night shelters or longer term housing.
Crisis are another national charity that HOPE recommend for those who think that they might become homeless in the future who have produced a Threatened with Homelessness guide.
How can you be referred to the Two Step programme?
HOPE Worldwide UK have close connections with partner organisations such as night shelters, day centres, and local authority projects, all of which have the ability to refer individuals to the Two Step scheme.
At present, due to the popularity of the scheme and limited capacity, only these partner organisations can refer people to Two Step.
Once a person has been referred, someone from HOPE will contact a suitability check and arrange a meeting with them to discuss accommodation options.
The Three types of poverty
The Two Step programme is designed to provide support that tackles not only homelessness but all three types of poverty identified in a model by Jon Kuhrt.
These three poverty types are:
- Resources – cannot afford accommodation, food and other essentials
- Relationships – Cities can be very lonely places if you don’t have friends and family who are able help you and encourage you
- Identity – if you feel ignored or have had a difficult past it can affect your sense of self
Get involved
If you are interested in helping HOPE in relation to their work on the Two Step project there are a number of different ways you can get involved.
Have a chat
You would be amazed at the difference that can be made simply by making the effort to talk to homeless people in your area, listening to their stories and showing compassion and empathy.
Rather than simply walking by next time you come across someone living on the street, why not introduce yourself. To do this in a safe and helpful way, follow the ALERT guide available on the HOPE Worldwide UK Website.
Ask – Get on their level, introduce yourself and ask if they are homeless and if anyone is helping them. If they are not, they might benefit from being directed to a local project that can help them claim benefits for example.
Listen – Many people are happy to share their story of what happened and what they are trying to do about it. They may request something in particular that you can get them – better to ask than to assume.
Empathise – Empathy and compassion are very powerful. Many people become homeless because of things beyond their control. Even if you can’t help directly, people will appreciate that you took the time to listen and empathise.
Respond – Depending on what they share you might be able to do something. Share what you can do (see below) and ask them if they would like you to do that.
Take Action – You could do something there and then like asking them if they would like something in particular to eat or drink, or that would help them keep warm or cool depending on the weather. If you wanted do a bit of research to find out about local organisations you could use nextmeal.co.uk or www.homeless.org.uk/. To send an alert to ‘Streetlink’ use streetlink.org.uk/
Volunteer
At London Church, we take part regularly in fundraising events alongside and on behalf of various HOPE Worldwide causes, including Two Step and are proud to take part in their day of service each July.
HOPE are always looking for new volunteers, however, so get in touch with them directly for more information on the different ways in which you can get involved.
Donate
Many people are wary of giving cash directly to homeless people out of a fear they will spend it on alcohol or drugs rather than food or accommodation, making their situation worse in the long run.
Instead, becoming one of the key supporters of the Two Step programme will ensure that all your money will be spent on improving people’s lives for the better and means you are truly looking out for the interests of others and not giving to feel better about yourself (Philippians 2:4).
You can donate directly to Two Step by following this link or by getting involved with our next London Church of Christ fundraiser.