The Museum of Homelessness in London piloted an emergency homeless shelter scheme during freezing weather conditions this month.
The museum in Finsbury Park worked with the local community to provide shelter, hot food and emergency supplies to as many people as possible through its winter shelter initiative.
“This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a museum has transformed into an emergency shelter,” it said in a statement.
“The atmosphere was convivial and compassionate, with many philosophical discussions over breakfast and dinner,” the institution added.
Guests were able to support the crew in designing the processes that would enable the venue to be a shelter at night and a museum in the day.
For example, one guest who volunteers at a local food bank brought bread, tea, biscuits, juice and toiletries.
“We have had fantastic support from the wider community as well, with coffee donated from Harris and Hoole and meat from Stella’s butchers,” said the museum.
The museum was full throughout the pilot initiative, and worked with other grassroots groups and small charities to support people on the streets during the cold.
In the statement, the museum said that homelessness systems are not keeping up with the rapid development of the climate emergency.
People on streets affected by climate change
“We are under-prepared to support people who are already street homeless when major climate events take place,” it said.
“It’s a serious risk for our community in practical terms and our previous work to investigate severe weather provision has identified many problems.”
The Museum of Homelessness opened in a permanent home in 2024 after operating as a touring exhibition for 10 years.
The world’s first museum of its kind tells the stories of those living on the streets through exhibits, performances, talks and workshops – all created by people with experience of homelessness.
Images courtesy of the Museum of Homelessness
