London: Homelessness across England has reached devastating new levels, with a 14% increase over the past year. According to the latest report from Shelter, more than 354,000 people – including 161,500 children – are expected to spend Christmas without a home. 

Here in Redbridge, the situation is particularly alarming. Once part of Essex before becoming a London borough in 1965, Redbridge is now home to one in every 33 residents living without secure housing – a rate far higher than the national average of one in 160. Shelter’s research reveals that over 9,500 residents, including more than 5,400 children, are homeless in Redbridge. 

Shelter’s Chief Executive, Polly Neate, described the situation starkly: 

“Families are living in impossible conditions, with no end in sight. Children are growing up without a secure home, and parents are facing a future of uncertainty.” 

Rising private rents, limited housing benefit, and a lack of affordable homes have left many families with nowhere to turn. Temporary accommodation is often overcrowded, unsuitable, and long-term — a stopgap that has become a way of life for too many. 

Our Work: Meals for the Homeless in Redbridge 

At the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), we have been at the heart of homelessness support in Redbridge since 2019, when we launched our Meals for the Homeless project. 

When the COVID-19 lockdowns began, we were the only Redbridge homeless meals service still operating. Our small team — led by Hannah Chowdhry, then just 16 years old — served hot meals and ran a food bank for over 60 people twice daily, becoming the fouth-largest collector of food from FareShare in East London. Remarkably, our operation had been established for less than a year at that time. 

Our kitchen achieved a five-star hygiene rating from Redbridge Council, and the risk assessment Hannah wrote for our operations was later adopted by other charities as they began reopening after lockdown. 

During that difficult period, 21 people were supported off the streets and into permanent housing through Hannah’s collaboration with the Redbridge Homeless Unit. The NHS also conducted sexual health and COVID-19 clinics at our centre, while Via (previously known as Westminster Drug Project) provided counselling and addiction rehabilitation services to our visitors. 

Challenges and a New Beginning 

Sadly, over the last two years, the number of people visiting our centre has risen sharply — now averaging over 75 visitors per day. While this increase shows the scale of local need, it has also led to complaints from nearby businesses, prompting us to relocate. 

Thanks to the generosity of a kind donor, we are preparing to relocate our Meals for the Homeless service to a new site in Ilford, where we have been offered the use of a free car park. Our plan is to install caravans on the site, creating a safer and more comfortable environment where we can continue serving hot meals and offering vital pastoral and practical support. 

The move is expected to be completed by December this year, and our homeless guests are already looking forward to the new location — which will include free access to a washing machine, greater opportunities to share donated clothing and furniture, and a welcoming space to relax, connect, and find community with our team. 

Recognising Community Spirit 

Our efforts were recognised with the Faith and Belief Award (2020) for outstanding community service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This award celebrated how our charity brought together people of all faiths and none to help struggling families and homeless individuals through one of the toughest times in recent history.