Body Shop founder Anita Roddick got a makeover from Debra Barrett at the launch of homelessness charity Crisis’ “Changing Lives” project, which funds homeless people on vocational courses.
As part of the project, Ms Roddick is mentoring Ms Barrett who is setting up a beauty therapy business. Barclays Bank is backing the project and encouraging staff to become mentors.

The project was launched as the government announced a £100m initiative to provide 500 London homes for families currently languishing in bed and breakfast temporary accommodation.

London & Quadrant Housing Association will put £83m into the project on top of a £17m contribution from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. L&Q will then buy the homes and lease them to councils for ten years, after which it hopes to use them as permanent social housing.

The Association of London Government complained that it had not been consulted on the scheme and demanded to know whether the £17m had been diverted from other initiatives.

The number of homeless families in B&Bs has risen 5% since March, but the head of the homelessness directorate, Louise Casey, said this was due to new priority need categories in the Homelessness Act. Casey also announced a review of services for homeless people from black and minority ethnic communities.

Source

Housing Today