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Homelessness in Britain touches more people than you might think: according to research by umbrella body Homeless Link last year, one in three people living in the UK has either experienced homelessness, or knows someone who has.

This deeply troubling statistic highlights not only the sheer scale of homelessness in the UK, but also how it really can happen to anyone, regardless of background. The causes of homelessness are many and varied and not, as some assume, always related to alcohol or drug addiction. Relationship breakdowns, unemployment, and mental health issues are also some of the biggest contributory factors.

The construction industry is in a unique position to help. It can, literally, put a roof over people’s heads. The skills those in the sector display on a daily basis - in building work, in design, in the production of building materials - are all integral to creating the shelters, hostels and communities that homelessness charities need to get people off the streets and into a position where they can start to create better lives for themselves.

The construction industry is in a unique position to help. It can, literally, put a roof over people’s heads

In CRASH, the industry has a ready-made vehicle to enable it to help in this way. The way the charity works - making use of the industry’s expertise and matching it with homeless charities’ needs - means that firms know their help is being used where it is really needed. The pro-bono professional work and building materials donated by companies last year helped 62 homelessness projects across the UK, while 14 homelessness groups received cash grants donated through the charity to improve buildings.

At ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø magazine, we have chosen to support CRASH as our official partner charity for two reasons. Because we passionately believe that its work is making a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. And because it is bringing the industry together in a way which makes use of the sector’s unique skills and expertise for a powerful social good.

We hope that in creating this publication for CRASH, we can help to convince you to do the same. By supporting the organisation, you will not only be building shelters - you will be helping to rebuild lives.

Sarah Richardson, editor, ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø