Transom Trust is an expression of compassion, faith in action and unity by the churches of Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill, providing supported accommodation for homeless people. Transom Trust is administered by a group of Trustees drawn from local churches and we employ a part-time Property Manager. Pastoral support to our residents and practical help in relation to benefit claims and accessing services is provided by experienced volunteers. In addition, our volunteer team will do much of the work in preparing new properties for letting. There are opportunities for people who can align with the aims and objectives of the Trust to get involved in these various roles or to donate financially towards the costs of refurbishing and maintaining the properties.
Transom Trust acquired its first property, a 2 bedroom flat, in July 2017 and provides accommodation for two men, both of whom have benefitted greatly from the companionship of sharing a home together. A second property, another 2 bedroom flat, was acquired in March 2019.
As one of the residents was finalising his move into independent accommodation, he said;
"I must start with my utmost gratitude, thanks, and praise for your continued help and continued support. Without the likes of Penny, Roger Joel and yourselves, I feel I would have continued to have no life, and would without any doubt in my mind that I would be deceased by now. So many of my fellow homeless addicts are now deceased, so many in such a short period of time. I have a big debt owed to society and I hope I can help others find hope and coping strategies for a very bleak future as peoples situations are getting worse."
Rough sleepers in Hastings tend to become increasingly entrenched in their lifestyles, mental and physical health problems and substance misuse exacerbated by homelessness, caught in a vicious circle, with little hope of getting off the streets. There has been mounting frustration over recent years amongst Christians and others working with homeless people in Hastings, over the lack of both temporary and longer-term housing solutions, causing huge concern for those ‘stuck’ in their life on the streets. Hastings Borough Council will place eligible homeless people in temporary accommodation, but many other rough sleepers are not considered sufficiently vulnerable under housing law, or they fail one of the other tests that local authorities are required to apply when considering a homeless application.
Looking forward, we aim to expand our property base, continue to support our residents and assist them with moving on where appropriate.