Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment

This report provides an analysis of the establishment of a homeless support center in Hackney Borough. It discusses the political, social, economic, and technological factors affecting homelessness in the area.

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment1
DEPAUL REPORT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF HOMELESS SUPPORT CENTER IN
HACKNEY BOROUGH
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Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment2
Introduction
PEST is a way of understanding how external forces can impact your business. It should be
included in every business plan in addition to SWOT analysis, a strategy that is adopted as part
of risk management, strategic planning, and design of a business idea (Loveland 2017, p. 64).
The political environment is an analysis of the impact of politics to business world. The
economic factor examines outside economic issues that can play a role in a company's success.
With the social factor, a business can analyze the socioeconomic environment of the given
industry's market to understand how consumer needs are shaped and what brings them to the
market for a purchase and the relative ways of dealing with customers. Technology plays a
bigger role in business and in setting up any company or industry. With the introduction of new
products, new technologies and services, a certain marketplace can have a tough time adjusting
so it's important to assess the technology from all dimensions.
Background Information of the Organization
Depaul charity is a group that began in 1989 in response to the alarming growth of the number of
homeless people on the streets of London. The passage day centre in Victoria, under the
directorate of Sister Barbara Smith, and her management team and trustees brought their
proposal to Cardinal Basil Hume who agreed to be Patron of the new charity Depaul Trust and
support its inception (Collinson and Ward 2010. P. 23). The founder members all had their roots
in the life and work of Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660). The organization empowers young
people aged between 16 and 25 years who are experiencing homelessness. It provides emergency
accommodation, supported housing and other services to help people rebuild and restructuretheir

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment3
lives. Its mission is to eradicate homelessness and change the lives of the affected by ensuring
each and every person has a place to call home and stake in their community.
The organization has expanded to national and international levels since 1992 when Mark
McGreevy took over as Director. It quickly grew to a national charity in the United Kingdom
and from 2002 it expanded internationally starting its branches in Ireland, USA, Slovakia,
Ukraine, Kharkiv and France. Its aim after this international status then was upgraded to dealing
with homelessness at the worldwide level. The group owes its inspiration and values to Vincent
de Depaul, a reformer of the 17thcentury in France who reached out to the poor and the
disenfranchised, valuing each and every person. He attracted a large group of volunteers and
supporters, whom he inspired with his love for the poor, building bridges between the rich
people and those living in poverty (Soar, Papaioannou, and Dawkins 2016, p. 93). He devoted
his entire life to helping the poor, sick and needy and he was canonized in 1737 and given a very
famous title as “the Saint of Charity”. His values have been essential to the foundation and work
of the organization where it helps the poorest of the poor by placing actions ahead of words.
PEST Analysis
Political
- Homelessness was greatly captured in
the political arena in the 2017 election
in the Hackney borough where each
party manifesto featured it in.
- Politics brought to attention a
Social
- Lack of affordable housing has raised
the number of those sleeping in the
streets to 1,248 in a three months
survey in the hackney borough alone.
- Bureau of investigative journalism has

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment4
remarkably high rise of homeless
individuals which increased by roughly
47% in Hackney and 169% in the
whole of London over the past 5 years.
- Private rented sector has contributed to
the rise and many political parties are
promising to eradicate the problem
- The ability of younger adults to form
separate households continues to fall
alarmingly in the borough.
reported that 83 people died on the
street and temporary housing in the past
year 2017
- 63% of the people who die on the street
of Hackney are men 30% are women
and no gender was recorded for the
remaining 7%.
- 91%% of charity organizations in the
borough have blamed the government
of austerity, very expensive private
rents and lack of social housing.
Economic
- Ministry of housing and homelessness
has allocated 700 million Euros to
solving the housing problem by 2027
- Great London authority provides to the
Hackney boroughs 23.3 million euros
through the rough sleeping initiative to
eradicate homelessness
- The guardian model is planning for the
years ahead by asking people to donate
so as to eradicate homelessness.
Technological
- Creation of mobile applications where
alerts can be raised over any person
noticed sleeping rough.
- Donation of smartphones by some well-
wishers to ensure those in the street can
communicate with people who can help
- Free Wi-Fi is offered in many places
around Hackney. This has seen many
homeless individuals get help from
potential persons who are connected to

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment5
- Charity organizations are trying hard to
solve the problem by providing
temporary housing.
them.
- Registration of help centers and soup
kitchens on the maps such that at the
click of a button a homeless can get the
necessary help.
Political
The joint strategic needs assessment assesses the various contributions of homelessness and
looks forward to provision of housing, care and focusing on the many challenges to be addressed
through collaborative efforts (Fountain, Howes, and Strang 2013. p. 71). All Politicians and
political parties that visited the Hackney borough highlighted the homelessness issue in the
campaigns. This is because in the manifesto of each party, eradication of homelessness was
featured. Politicians as well besides their party manifestos stated that they will work harder to
ensure adequate housing for all the people. Parties cited allocation of huge sums of money to
bring down this problem facing those in the borough. The political parties also embraced joining
hands together with other stake holders to ensure homelessness does not increase (Dickinson
2017, p. 29). Though some of the political parties in the past highlighted the same and failed, it
was because there was no a well laid down strategy on how to deal with homelessness. Now
since a strategy is set by the current day government, it’s hoped that the given 10 years’ time
frame will help see homelessness come to an end in Hackney.

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment6
The clinical commissioning groups in conjunction with the great London authority and the
councils are working collaboratively to eradicate homelessness (Neale, and Stevenson 2014, p.
103). The GLA provides 23.3 million Euros to the Hackney borough council annually in a bid to
halve homelessness by 2022 and completely wipe it out by the year 2027. These collaborative
measures have seen people from different walks in the political fields and other related
organizations chipping in to reduce homelessness (Canada Newswire 2018, p. 66). The clinical
commissioning group in Hackney determines the number of individuals sleeping rough, those
who die annually by compiling accurate reports and also critically analyzing their health status of
the homeless in the borough. For instance it stated that the mental and dental health of people
sleeping rough is often poor leading to their death at an average age of 46 compared to their
counterparts who are in settled homes whose average death age is 75 years (Bunds,Newman, and
Giardina 2015, p. 36).
Social
Lack of affordable housing in Hackney has led to an increased number of homeless individuals
who then sleep rough in the streets. This has been brought about by continuously hiking prices of
rents in the private sector. According to Naeku (2018, p. 16), the land lords take advantage of the
increased demand of houses due to the increasing population in the borough to increase house
rents an aspect that has led to current higher levels of homelessness. In a survey conducted in
2017, within a period of three months the number of people sleeping rough has increased to
1,248 compared to the past surveys in the previous three months where the number was 14% less
than this and 29% less the same time the previous year of 2016. Allocation of statutory shares to

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment7
landlords in Hackney borough amounting to 420 million Euros by the council is a major mistake
since the money would have been used for settling the homeless.
Charity organizations are also working to reduce this challenge of homelessness (Vitopoulos
2017, p. 89). Constantly they have been blaming the council of the borough for reporting half the
cases of homelessness and deaths associated to it. The organizations over a period of time have
been in backlash with the council over cooked figures and unreliable reports. They have been
constantly terming the reports as rogue and therefore taking their own initiative to conduct own
studies and responding to these cases independently (Barker, Maguire, Bishop, &Stopa2018, p.
54).The organizations homelessness related death toll to 137 persons against the council’s report
of 83 persons per year. Most of the victims are men recording a 63% then women recorded 30%
with a 7% not accounted for.
Economic
The council through its ministry of housing and homelessness has allocated money in a
bid to solve the homelessness crisis among its population. The council receives 23.3 million
Euros annually from the central government which is topped up by the council to 28.5 million
Euros to cater for housing for the homeless. The Hackney council is therefore committed and
zealous to halve the problem by 2022 and completely do away with it by 2027. According to
Ziegele, Koehler, and Weber (2018), this is in the lime light of being achieved since in the
council’s budget 700 million Euros is allocated and dedicated to be used in settling the homeless.
The council is also working with agencies such as the investigative journalism department to find
out the actual numbers of the homeless so as to establish a conclusive report to eradicate
homelessness by the given timeline of 10 years. Various assessment criteria’s are also being used

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment8
by the council of the present day to try and establish social housing (Ogutu 2018, p. 18). This is
being done with an aim of housing individuals of the lowest economic class and the homeless as
they pay small amounts of money to the council for maintenance. Lancione (2013) connotes that
small scale employers are also being encouraged to advance their sectors in order to provide
employment mainly unskilled to those who are more disadvantaged as in they may lack
education or have skills in different areas but are exposed to the risk of homelessness due to
financial constraints.
The strategies being employed will eventually see homelessness come to an end since
organizations in the borough have stopped only channeling money and are now taking key
interest in the identification of strategies that will help to bring homelessness to an end (Monn
2017, p. 23). The guardian model adopted by the Hackney council encourages all interested
persons be it foreigners or locals to make donations which are directly used to settle the
homeless. In cases where people donate foodstuffs and clothing, the foods are taken to the
kitchen soups to serve the homeless and clothing given to the dorms where the homeless spent
their nights (Evans, Dowler, and Naomi 2012, p. 19). These donations have boosted the amounts
of money being planned for in the eradication of homelessness. Some of the money is even being
planned for setting up small enterprises within Hackney to provide employment to the homeless
once they are settled to enable them rely on themselves for their upkeep rather than relying on
people and charity organizations for sustenance.
Technological
Technological advancement has made it easy for the homeless to get help. This has been
achieved through creation of mobile applications with specialized features for helping the

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment9
homeless (Humpery 2018, p. 16). Speed link an application developed recently and in use within
Hackney and other boroughs has made it possible for the homeless to get help. This application
was used in the last winter to issue alerts on any person seeing sleeping rough. It is reported that
in a week 893 alerts were issued those living in Hackney and the people who were to sleep rough
were all saved from freezing in the environment where temperatures were below zero degrees.
The locals leaving in Hackney and its environs are encouraged to install the application through
advertisement an aspect that has made majority of them to be of help to the homeless (Huffman
2017, p. 90). A couple of well-wishers are also donating phones to the homeless where special
applications to locate a nearby dorm or soup kitchens are installed. This has helped a majority of
them from sleeping rough and hungry.
Free wireless network is offered in most parts of the Hackney borough. This means a homeless
does not require any money to top up the phones in order to access it. As long one has a phone
that is charged and can access online then accessing the Wi-Fi network is not a big deal (Dew
2015 p. 22). At a click of a button an individual who is homeless can access help from any
person whom they know or even well-wishers who might be looking for such people to help
online. The homeless are again equipped with the ability of accessing the news and knowing
what is taking place in the borough and the country at large. This has enabled a majority of them
to adhere to the plight of well-wishers and the council (Schneider 2014, p.58). Most them can
also update their status on social media an aspect that will expose them to potential helpers who
may either empower them or help them regain employment and build up their lives.

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment10
Recommendations
Depaul should open a support center in the Hackney borough because;
 The political movements of the entire borough are in support of homelessness eradication
and this is evident in party manifestos where it is clearly featured.
 The social setting through well-wishers and single handed individuals is also working
tirelessly in support of the homeless
 The council and the central government through the budget have allocated money 23.3
million Euros from the central government and 5.2 million Euros from the Hackneys
council for homelessness eradication.
 A time frame has been set to halve homelessness by 2022 and completely eradicate it in
Hackney by 2027.
 The technological advancement in the borough are in full support of helping the homeless
as evident in provision smart phones, free Wi-Fi and development of applications to help
the homeless just at a click of a button.
 There are well laid down strategies not only to provide home for the homeless but also to
help them sustain and build back their lives.

Depaul Report on Hackney Borough Support Centre Establishment11
List of References
Barker, SL, Maguire, N, Bishop, FL &Stopa, LL (2018), ‘Expert viewpoints of peer support for
people experiencing homelessness: A Q sort study’, Psychological Services, viewed 25 March
2019, <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2018-54492-
001&site=ehost-live>.(Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Bunds, K. S., Newman, J. I. and Giardina, M. D. (2015) ‘The Spectacle of Disposability:
Bumfights, Commodity Abjection, and the Politics of Homelessness’, Critical Studies in Media
Communication, 32(4), pp. 272–286. doi: 10.1080/15295036.2014.944928. (Accessed: 25 March
2019).
Canada Newswire (2018) ‘Government of Canada takes concrete action to address homelessness
in London’, Canada Newswire, 10 September. Available at:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=bwh&AN=201809101150CANADANWCANADAPR.C6903&site=ehost-live
(Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Collinson, S. and Ward, R. (2010) ‘A nurse-led response to unmet needs of homeless migrants in
inner London’, British Journal of Nursing, 19(1), pp. 36–41.doi:
10.12968/bjon.2010.19.1.45910.
Dew, C. (2015) ‘Homes of the Homeless: Seeking Shelter in Victorian London, Geffrye Museum
of the Home, London’, Museums Journal, 115(6), pp. 48–51. Available at:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=103434241&site=ehost-live
(Accessed: 25 March 2019).

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Dickinson, J. I. .et al. (2017) ‘The Design and Testing of a Student Prototyped Homeless
Shelter’, Journal of Interior Design, 42(3), pp. 53–70. doi: 10.1111/joid.12087.
Evans, N. S., Dowler, E. A. and Evans, Naomi S. (2012) ‘Food, health and eating among single
homeless and marginalized people in London’, Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, 12(3),
pp. 179–199. Available at: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=s3h&AN=5183897&site=ehost-live (Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Fountain, J., Howes, S. and Strang, J. (2013) ‘Unmet Drug and Alcohol Service Needs of
Homeless People in London: A Complex Issue’, Substance Use & Misuse, 38(3–6), pp. 377–393.
Available at: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=s3h&AN=9593139&site=ehost-live (Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Huffman, T. P. (2017) ‘Compassionate Communication, Embodied Aboutness, and Homeless
Young Adults’, Western Journal of Communication, 81(2), pp. 149–167. doi:
10.1080/10570314.2016.1239272.
Humpery et al (2018) ‘Undignified Dignity: Using Humor to Manage the Stigma of Mental
Illness and Homelessness’, Communication Quarterly, 66(1), pp. 20–37. doi:
10.1080/01463373.2017.1325384.(Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Lancione, M. (2013) ‘Homeless people and the city of abstract machines: Assemblage thinking
and the performative approach to homelessness’, Area, 45(3), pp. 358–364. Available at:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=89720199&site=ehost-live
(Accessed: 25 March 2019).

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Loveland, I. (2017) ‘Changing the meaning of “vulnerable” under the homelessness
legislation?’,Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, 39(3), pp. 298–315. doi:
10.1080/09649069.2017.1344387.
Monn, A. R. et al. (2017) ‘Executive function and parenting in the context of homelessness’,
Journal of Family Psychology. (Mind and Matter I: New Insights on the Role of Parental
Cognitive and Neurobiological Functioning in Process Models of Parenting), 31(1), pp. 61–70.
doi: 10.1037/fam0000275. (Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Naeku J. (2018) ‘Determinants of Tenancy Sustainment Following Homelessness: A Systematic
Review. American Journal of Public Health, 108(11), e1–e8.(Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Neale, J. and Stevenson, C. (2014) ‘Homeless Drug Users and Information Technology: A
Qualitative Study with Potential Implications for Recovery from Drug Dependence’, Substance
Use & Misuse, 49(11), pp. 1465–1472. Available at: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=s3h&AN=97252110&site=ehost-live (Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Ogutu N. (2018) ‘Health Care Utilization and Expenditures of Homeless Family Members
Before and After Emergency Housing’, American Journal of Public Health, 108(6), pp. 808–
814. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304370.(Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Schneider, B. (2014) ‘Homelessness: Emotion Discourse and the Reproduction of Social
Inequality’, Canadian Journal of Communication, 39(2), pp. 235–248. doi:
10.22230/cjc.2014v39n2a2729.

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Soar, K., Papaioannou, G. and Dawkins, L. (2016) ‘Alcohol Gel Ingestion Among Homeless
Eastern and Central Europeans in London: Assessing the Effects on Cognitive Functioning and
Psychological Health’, Substance Use & Misuse, 51(10), pp. 1274–1282. Available at:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=116526073&site=ehost-live
(Accessed: 25 March 2019).
Vitopoulos, N. (2017) ‘Developing a trauma-informed mental health group intervention for
youth transitioning from homelessness’, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48(6),
pp. 499–509. doi: 10.1037/pro0000168.supp (Supplemental)
Ziegele, M., Koehler, C. and Weber, M. (2018) ‘Socially Destructive? Effects of Negative and
Hateful User Comments on Readers’ Donation Behavior toward Refugees and Homeless
Persons’, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 62(4), pp. 636–653. doi:
10.1080/08838151.2018.1532430.(Accessed: 25 March 2019).