Oasis Community Housing’s CEO, David Smith, has been elected Member of Parliament (MP) for North Northumberland. As a result, David will step down from his role with immediate effect and Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Lister, will become Acting CEO for homeless charity.

Making the announcement, Oasis Community Housing’s Chair of Trustees Nick Salisbury said, ‘Our congratulations go to David on his new role in Parliament.

‘We thank David for his energy and leadership over the past seven years: expanding our drop-in and emergency projects, rapidly re-mapping our support services on the announcement of COVID lockdown, launching the charity’s very important and influential Tackling Trauma campaign, and for taking us through the rebrand to become who we are today, Oasis Community Housing.

‘Now, looking forward for Oasis Community Housing, Sarah Lister has kindly agreed to become our acting CEO, whilst we seek to recruit a new permanent CEO. Sarah has been with the charity for six years and is our current Chief Operating Officer, and carries with her a wealth of skill and experience.

‘Our work continues in earnest with the more than 1,300 men, women and families who we support on their journeys out of homelessness each year.’

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In response to the Government’s latest homelessness statistics for England (released 30 April 2024), David Smith, CEO of homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing, said:

“These shocking figures show, once again, a rising number of people facing the daily crisis of homelessness – a 16% jump on the previous year.

“It is particularly concerning that so many single women with children, and those escaping domestic abuse, are facing homelessness through prevention and relief duties. We know the life-changing difference that specialist trauma-informed support can make through our own mother-and-baby projects and domestic abuse support services.

“UK Government needs to stop throwing a small amount of money at homelessness when it becomes an issue. It needs to ensure that money is spent upfront, more strategically.

“The need for more available, accessible housing is clear and something must be done. Yet we also know trauma and homelessness go hand-in-hand. 94 per cent of people experiencing homelessness have suffered trauma, such as domestic abuse. Ensuring trauma-informed support is embedded in all work with people facing homelessness would change everything.”