Today, we’re proud to launch our 2024 Impact Report, which celebrates the impact our work has had across the globe. Through our services, we’re proud to have reached over 75,900 people experiencing homelessness in 2024. Find out more in our 2023 Impact Report here.
Helen O’Shea, our Chair of Trustees, and Matthew Carter, Group CEO Depaul International, said in a joint statement:
In 1989, after seeing growing numbers of young people sleeping on the streets of London, a group of people sought to answer the question ‘what must be done?’ That’s how the first Depaul service was set up – a direct response to growing need.
Over three decades later, the need has never been greater. It’s estimated that one in five people globally either lives in inadequate housing or has no home at all. That’s why in 2024, Depaul’s 35th year, answering ‘what must be done’ remained central to our work. As we launched our new strategy, our services focused on supporting those experiencing homelessness to move into long-term housing and towards more stable futures.
This report highlights how our teams continue to prioritise supporting those most in need, setting up services in areas where there is a lack of provision. You’ll read about how Depaul Ukraine secured funding to set up one of the only women’s housing projects in the country, and how Depaul Croatia launched a new prevention programme engaging with those in prison who are at risk of homelessness upon their release. Similarly, Depaul USA stepped in when no other organisation was willing and opened Strobel House, a 90-unit permanent supportive housing development in Nashville. These are just a few examples of how our national teams identify local needs, responding quickly with effective, high-quality services.
In 2024, we supported nearly 80,000 people experiencing homelessness internationally and we pride ourselves on ensuring every single person accessing our services is treated with dignity, compassion and care. It’s what makes our services special. In May, we visited Depaul USA’s new Central City apartments ahead of their launch and saw how the rooms are decorated with bunches of flowers. It’s a simple gesture, but one that goes a long way and is at the heart of our values – making sure every new resident feels welcomed and at home.
Stories like this are peppered throughout the report – from staff at Depaul France’s day centre tying washed and folded laundry with a bow, to a Depaul UK volunteer who cooks a special meal for those he hosts at his home. This is all made possible by our dedicated staff and volunteers. It’s hard not to smile when reading these stories. We hope that you do too, and that they stay with you after you read the report.
At Depaul, we work with two strategic global partners, the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA) and the Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH), and 2024 saw their work go from strength to strength. The FHA launched the 13 Houses Jubilee project, which will provide housing for those experiencing homelessness in 13 countries. We’re proud to be a partner in housing projects in the UK and Ukraine. Meanwhile, IGH team met with the UN Deputy Secretary General, to discuss the issue of global homelessness.
2024 was the first year of our new six-year strategy, which aims to end homelessness for more people in more places. We began a new and exciting relationship with the Vincentian Family in the Philippines, ensuring that the voices of those experiencing homelessness globally are heard as we expand our services to new areas. We also began the development of a new global advocacy strategy. Looking ahead, 2025 will be a crucial year as we look to deliver major projects across all the themes of the strategy. As ever we remain committed to putting those serve at the heart of our work and to engage with those who share our commitment to creating a society in which everyone, across the world, has a place to call home and a stake in their community.