As the number of rough sleepers in Cardiff keeps on rising, expert stresses on the need for comprehensive solution to the problem.
Dona, a homeless woman often seen near the St David’s in Cardiff City Centre with her two dogs, whom she calls her daughters, worries about their health as winter approaches. While she has a shelter for the night, sparing her from sleeping rough, many others in Cardiff are not as fortunate.
Currently, 2,160 households in Cardiff are assessed as homeless, a figure that continues to rise. Experts, however, believe that with the right kind of support and housing, the issue can be addressed effectively.
John Stark, an executive of the Salvation Army, said: “Putting a roof over the head of the homeless people is not enough. We need to address the reasons why they end up on the streets.”
Stark highlighted the complexity of homelessness, said, “Starting from mental breakdown and trauma to financial problems, people end up on the streets for various reasons. Then there is the issue of substance abuse which can make things complex. To solve this problem, individual attention is required. If we don’t consider those factors and continue the right kind of support to break that chain, they will once again end up on the streets.”
Government data supports this assessment. On March 31, 2024, 133 individuals were estimated to be rough sleeping across Wales, including 21 in Cardiff. By August 31, these numbers rose to 204 and 48, respectively.
To combat homelessness, charities like The Wallich provide skill-based training to help individuals find employment. One initiative train homeless people to work as city tour guides through a partnership with ‘Invisible Cities,’ fostering positive change. Mentorship programs have also been introduced to support the transition into stability.
Despite these efforts, homelessness continues to grow. In Cardiff alone, 2,160 households were assessed as homeless in 2023–24.
“Along with the right kind of support, we need right kind of housing as well,” said Stark. “These people should not be housed in the middle of nowhere. They are vulnerable and need human support and the warmth of the community. While moving out of homelessness, they should be housed in places where there is a feeling of inclusivity.”
Cadwyn, a not-for-profit homeowners association, is working to address this need. After moving into Butetown, it initiated the Butetown heritage mural as part of the ‘Our Cardiff’ project, reflecting the shared heritage and stories of the area and fostering inclusivity. The project was undertaken by reflecting the personal experiences of the residents, some of whom had been homeless in the past.
However, funding challenges remain a significant hurdle to solve homelessness. In 2021, The Wallich was forced to close its night shelter due to a lack of funds. Over 20 years, the shelter provided emergency accommodation to more than 4,300 people, and its absence continues to be felt.