The Manna House was set up in April 2002 to provide housing advice, advocacy and support for those in the Kendal and South Lakes area who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

"Homeless? In affluent Kendal?"  Yes, sadly true.  Not all homeless people sleep rough, although too many are forced to. Some sleep on a friend's floor or sofa, others share crowded accommodation with extended family members, still more move from one temporary hostel or B&B to another, not earning enough to save the necessary deposit for their own rented accommodation or, often, enough to pay private rental prices.

Manna House receives a quarterly government grant which part pays for the housing advice service we offer, subject to client quotas stipulated, initially,  by the DTLR. We exceeded our annual quota in the first quarter, so demand for our services well exceeds the government's expectations.  Click here to see current stats. Many of our clients are sent on to us by the South Lakeland District Council Housing Department, who have limited emergency accommodation facilities in this area, and other local organisations such as, CAB, the Job Centre, Connexions, Mind, etc.

Where do you go if you have to leave home because of domestic violence?  What happens if your accommodation is tied to your job and you lose that within a week , or even a day, (as with many hotel workers)?  How do you maintain a tenancy if you cannot read, so have no idea of the content of the numerous utility bills, council tax demands, etc., that all householders get?  Suppose you need help with budgeting and shopping so that you have enough money left to pay your rent; who will help you?

The answer is - the staff at Manna House.