Thousands of people have experienced or been at risk of homelessness in Southampton in the last year - and it's only going to get worse according to a city-based homeless charity.

Latest figures have revealed that 1,919 households were reported by the city council to be experiencing or at risk of homelessness between April 2023 and March 2024 and a charity set up to help says that's just the tip of the iceberg with hidden homelessness also a major problem.

Southampton based The Society of St James (SSJ) believes the cost of living, and especially the national insurance shake up announced in the last budget, will hugely increase the number of those who find themselves homeless, as well as in hostels, bed and breakfasts or sofa surfing. (Image: Pixabay)

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Chief executive Tania Marsh, who has been in the post for six months, told the Daily Echo: "Our services are always full to bursting point every single day and we are seeing more and more presentations, particularly in our big cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, which is only going to get worse given the uncertainty of funding, the cost of living and the rise in national insurance contributions for employers.

"It just takes one thing to happen to push people into a situation that is really untenable and really scary. It can happen to any one of us. 

"It's not hopeless. We're here as a safety net to support people back onto their feet. The homeless need help throughout the year, but we recognise that Christmas can be a pretty miserable time for a lot of people that we work with." 

(Image: The Society of St James) The charity, which helps vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, problems with alcohol and substance use and other complex needs, to change their lives, continues its interactive daily advent calendar, in a bid to raise £50,000 this Christmas. 

Featuring stories from some of the people SSJ have supported and team members with lived experience, the campaign will support the charity's various services, including hostels, care homes and new property purchases, social enterprises, and education programmes. 

The advent calendar, which is being supported by Hampshire corporates including B&Q, also encourages specific donations, such as buying someone a hot Christmas meal for £10.

(Image: The Society of St James)