homelessness in the northeast rising at an alarming rate

The Rising Crisis of Homelessness in the North East

At Beaming Light Foundation, we are witnessing something deeply worrying: the alarming rise of homelessness across the North East of England. Every single day, more people are reaching out to us for support families, individuals, and young people with nowhere else to turn. As a small charity, we are working tirelessly, but the demand is becoming almost unmanageable.

What makes this crisis even harder is the lack of meaningful help from local authorities. Red tape and layers of bureaucracy often stand in the way of urgent support. The reality is that people in desperate need are being turned away because they don’t fit strict criteria, or simply because they’re not originally from the council area where they are asking for help.

This raises a vital question: what happened to our collective duty of care? Homelessness does not stop at council borders. A person without a roof over their head shouldn’t be told they don’t qualify for help simply because they moved from another town. Yet this is the harsh reality we see far too often.

At Beaming Light Foundation, we believe in compassion first. When someone comes to us for help, we don’t ask where they were born, what council they’ve lived in, or whether they tick the right box. We ask: How can we keep you safe tonight?

But we cannot face this growing crisis alone. We are a small charity with limited resources, and without more community support, we risk being overwhelmed. Every day, more people are sleeping on the streets, in cars, or in unsafe accommodation because the system is failing them.

Homelessness is not a choice. It is a crisis of circumstance, poverty, and broken systems. Together, we can shine a light for those who feel forgotten. We are calling on local people, businesses, and decision-makers to step up to stand with us in ensuring that no one in our region is left out in the cold.

Because everyone deserves dignity, safety, and a place to call home.