I've seen first hand the growing issue of homelessness in our community. Working on the SOS bus, I've witnessed how many people are becoming homeless each day. These are not just statistics; they are everyday working individuals whose circumstances have changed drastically. In other areas, someone who is recently homeless would not have to spend a night on the street as they would be emergency housed or taken to a safehouse. However, within Tendring, they are only given a sleeping bag and tent until housing becomes available - which could take weeks to months.

Tendring has numerous empty derelict buildings that can be repurposed into safehouses, cleaning facilities and places where our homeless population can eat. This is an opportunity for us to make a significant difference in their lives by providing them with basic everyday privileges that we often take for granted.

The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise across Clacton-on-Sea and wider UK regions (source: UK Government's Rough Sleeping Snapshot). It's time we address this issue head-on by making better use of our existing resources.

Let's urge our local council members and decision-makers to transform these derelict buildings into facilities that will provide immediate relief for those struggling with homelessness in Tendring. Please sign this petition today – because everyone deserves a place they can call home.