As a long-term lender, The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC) is not on the housing management frontline in the way that our housing association borrowers are. We do, however, closely monitor the activities of the affordable housing sector, and have seen fantastic examples from across the UK of how housing associations are stepping up to provide support for their residents and communities.

The hunger crisis we face as a nation cannot be separated from the shortage of affordable housing. Since we were founded by the sector in 1987, THFC has helped fund tens of thousands of new affordable homes, and yet as this campaign reminds us, the solutions to hunger involve more than homes. On top of the already urgent situation, food banks now face rising demand due to the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

More Than Homes is a fantastic example of our sector’s capacity to unite in response to such challenges……and its unceasing desire to do more, to go further. We know that when we act collectively, we achieve greater things. Supporting foodbanks is more important than ever, and as a sector we have a key part to play in this.

Yet there is a reality that must be accepted. It is difficult to accept two incongruous facts at the same time; that foodbanks are vital lifelines which in many ways embody the best of British spirit, yet also that their presence should induce in all of us a sense of shame. That hunger exists on the scale it does in 21^st Britain is a deeply uncomfortable thing for us all to confront.

But confront it we must, and campaigns such as More than Homes are crucial to our collective response to hunger. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide food and support to those in need, the benefit of which is impossible to quantify.

THFC has always taken pride in its role in supporting housing associations to meet new challenges, and so I am very proud indeed to pledge our support to More Than Homes, and encourage everyone to give what they can to help raise £1 million for the Trussell Trust as it responds to the new pressures on its foodbanks. Collectively, we can build a future in which no one in Britain goes hungry.

Piers Williamson, Chief Executive THFC