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Of these 44, 15 were identified as long-term rough sleeping (for 3 or more months), and 32 had returned to the streets.

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260 to 270 people each week are presenting to the council as homeless. The 3 main reasons for their becoming homeless are that (a) family and friends can no longer accommodate them; (b) they have had to leave private rented accommodation; and (c) they have been evicted from supported housing. There was a huge increase in 'no-fault' eviction notices served during the month. As of 1st May these notices have now been abolished under the Renters' Rights Act. In Birmingham there are currently 5,600 individuals in temporary accommodation and over 600 in bed and breakfasts.

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The UK government's National Plan to End Homelessness is its strategy to ensure everyone has access to a safe and secure home. It focuses on preventing homelessness through tackling the issues that lead people into homelessness, or prevent them from sustaining a tenancy and returning to homelessness.

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For decades BCM's Care Centre has done just that. It has been and is a place where homeless and marginalised people can come to find both practical support and a sense of family. Many face complex challenges - addiction, broken relationships, physical and mental health problems - and they are looking for real help in finding accommodation, signing up at the Health Exchange, accessing mental health support or taking up the offer of a place in rehab. Many are also lonely and need a place to socialise and belong.

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From Mondays to Thursdays the centre is busy with guests eating meals, doing jigsaws and building bird boxes. Partnering organisations such as MIND, the DWP and Citadel Housing regularly drop in to offer their services. Amidst all this, staff and volunteers share God's message of hope to those who come.

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Care Centre Assistant Manager, Alec Petson, reported, 'We had two clients recently, one from Northern Ireland and the other from Kent. We were able to give them clothes and food and get them both into accommodation on the same day they arrived in Birmingham. Another man came in last week. He is recently sober from drug and alcohol addiction. He told me he is praying for God's protection, and feels that God is protecting him. One woman who comes is keen to talk about God and has been reading a New Testament I gave to her. I will invite her to our next Bible course which starts in June.

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We are thankful for BCM City Missionary, Kevin Williams' service to the Care Centre. We had a wonderful retirement celebration on his last day with us in April (pictured above). Our staff, volunteers and clients will miss him very much.'

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