G7 summit pushed homeless back out onto the street, says housing provision co-founder

The co-founder of a housing provision enterprise has spoken out after his hometown experienced a housing crisis as a result of the G7 summit.

Glen Freeman, from Response Accommodation, works with social enterprises and charities to provide people with accommodation quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

“A personal friend and an ex-boss of mine has made me aware of a housing crisis in my home county Cornwall,” he said. ” One that was caused directly by the G7 summit. It is easy for an international leader visiting the beauty of Cornwall to be blissfully unaware of their impact.

“Cornwall’s council worked alongside the local parish councils to fund hotel stays for homeless people during the pandemic but as a direct result of the summit these properties were fully booked, rooms were vacated and people were put back out on to the street. Local charities filled the gap by supplying tents to keep them sheltered.

“Now that Cornwall’s holiday season is in full swing these people have not been rehoused. Many of them can now not even achieve access to benefits.”

The G7 summit, which occurred on 11th – 13th June, brought together world leaders, politicians, delegates and over 5,000 shipped-in security officers to Cornwall with much of the area’s free housing space being used to accommodate them.

Glen said: “Originating from Cornwall and now working in the space of emergency housing, I have offered our services to the local authorities to assist them in fulfilling their obligations during these tough times.

“We are seeking empty properties, anything from warehouses through to offices and residential accommodation to assist.”

Glen has urged anyone with accommodation to reach out to [email protected] to assist.