The Faith in Action (FiA) Merton Homelessness Project has been a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals experiencing homelessness across the borough. For years, this project has provided vital services such as food, hot showers, clothing, and casework to those in need. It operates out of the Salvation Army Building, which has become a safe haven and a trusted landmark for our most vulnerable neighbours. 

Regrettably, following a change in local management, we have been warned that we will be asked to vacate the premises. This puts the safety and well-being of the community we serve at immediate risk.

Why we can't simply move 

Finding a new location is not as simple as finding a vacant room. To serve 60+ people per session effectively, our project requires very specific infrastructure that is rarely available in standard commercial or community spaces:

• Commercial Kitchen Facilities: To provide the hot breakfasts and two-course lunches our service users rely on.
• Capacity & Scale: We need a large, safe footprint to accommodate over 60 people at once while maintaining dignity and safety.
  Essential Facilities: We require plumbed-in hot showers and laundry units—facilities that are life-changing for someone living on the streets but difficult to install elsewhere.
• Accessibility: Our current location in Merton is highly accessible via local transport links, ensuring that those in crisis can actually reach us when they need help the most.

Without this specific site, many will be left on the streets of Merton, exposed to the elements and the ongoing challenges of homelessness without a centralised point of support.

Our Call to Action

We are calling on the Salvation Army to reconsider the decision to ask the Faith in Action Homelessness Project to leave. It is crucial that this project continues to operate within its current location, where it has established deep roots and trust with those in dire need.

We are seeking a constructive dialogue with the Salvation Army to explore options for a sustainable, long-term arrangement. By collaborating, we can ensure that Faith in Action remains operational and that the homeless population in Merton continues to receive the support they desperately need.

Please consider the impact that losing this hub would have on our community and the individuals who rely on this project for survival. We cannot afford to lose this indispensable service.

Sign this petition to urge the Salvation Army to work with us toward a solution that allows the Faith in Action Homelessness Project to continue its life-changing work in its established home.