Charity groups Crisis and Housing Justice say that volunteering over the Christmas season and beyond can play a vital role in alleviating the problems of the capital's homeless and addressing key housing concerns.

More than 200 people are still sleeping on the streets of central London despite policies to stop them bedding down which have included spraying them with water.

A new website called 'Faith in Affordable Housing' is being launched today at Church House Westminster, headquarters of the Church of England.It aims to help churches use land and property to meet housing needs.

St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London and campaigning network Housing Justice will next week hold an Annual Service of Commemoration for those homeless people who have died in the capital in the past year.