It’s estimated that homelessness affects over 320,000 people here in the UK – although some housing charities suggest that the actual figure is actually much higher. Homelessness often occurs alongside other complex issues for individuals too – making the transition into stable living arrangements and employment especially difficult.

When you use Car.co.uk, you’re helping us to support a partner charity that provides vital assistance for people who may not otherwise have a safe place to sleep.

There’s more to tackling homelessness than just providing beds though. The organisation we work with provides accommodation and a programme that allows residents to build solid life and vocational skills. These skills help people regain control of their lives, obtain their own tenancies – and find employment that will provide financial stability moving forward.

There’s no quick-fix for the issue of homelessness around the country – but at Car.co.uk, we’re helping an organisation that supports people to make meaningful, long-lasting changes that mean they can move forward; relying less on state-provided housing and benefits.

For individuals making the transition from homelessness onto lifelong positive paths, the impact of residential support cannot be underestimated – but what does this kind of support offer the wider community?

Sadly, homelessness is often wrapped in a series of other complex issues – including addictions, physical and mental health concerns, and sometimes a reliance on crime. Creating a stable base for a person provides a platform from which these other issues can be addressed – enormously reducing the strain on taxpayer-funded health services and local authority provisions.

By engaging with structured approaches that develop work and life skills, residents’ self- esteem transforms – helping to ensure tenancies and employment become permanent factors in their lives. As a result, dependency on social housing and the benefits system isn’t just eased – but individuals become taxpayers themselves; contributing to a system they once relied on.

Homelessness will continue to cost the UK a considerable amount for some time yet – but with the help of Car.co.uk customers, meaningful steps toward permanent improvements are taking place at our partner’s residential programmes every day.