7 ways the Church can help tackle homelessness

On World Homeless Day, Jon Kuhrt gives some practical advice on how Christians should respond to the homelessness crisis in order to help rather than hinder

In 2010, Ed Walker returned to the UK after working in Africa for many years with Tearfund. He was in his local park with his daughter when he met a man who was homeless. He had recently been discharged from prison and had nowhere to go because he had no one to go to.

From that park bench, Ed could see the spires and towers of many local churches, and this prompted him to ask: ”What could the Church do about homelessness?” He was inspired by Isaiah 58:5: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen? To loose the chains of injustice, provide food for the hungry and the poor wanderer with shelter?”

When he received an inheritance shortly afterwards, Ed and his wife Rach used the money to buy a house for people who were homeless. Hope into Action was born. 14 years on, the charity has 117 homes across the country.