Every Christmas since 1967, national charity Crisis has mobilised a unique volunteering effort to provide warmth, companionship, and vital services to people facing homelessness at one of the toughest times of the year. This Christmas, they will be providing hotel accommodation for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough across London. They will also support thousands more people in insecure accommodation – such as hostels and B&BS – across England, Wales and Scotland, providing food, companionship and support to leave homelessness behind for good.

This year they expect to see high demand as the cost of living crisis pushes more people into poverty. Crisis’ analysis shows that the poorest 10% of single households are spending, on average, 149% of their monthly post-tax income on rent, energy and food. With just the basic costs of living now pushing people beyond the brink into unsustainable debt, the charity is warning that thousands more people could be made homeless – and many forced onto the streets.

Crisis estimates that next year 300,000 households could be pushed into homelessness – making its services at Christmas and through the rest of the year more vital than ever.