St Petrock’s and Citizens Advice Exeter are hosting an election hustings focussed on homelessness and hardship on Thursday 27 June at South Street Baptist Church.
Candidates from both the Exeter and Exmouth & Exeter East constituencies have been invited to take part in the event, which will be chaired by the Acting Bishop of Exeter, Jackie Searle.
The hustings takes place a week before the general election on 4 July. It aims to focus political attention on Exeter’s most vulnerable people and those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Rough sleeper sheltering at Exeter Guildhall
St Petrock’s director Peter Stephenson said: “Exeter has one of the most pressing homelessness challenges in the country, relative to population.
“Rough sleeping has climbed in recent years so that on a typical night between 25 and 35 people are on the streets in our city.
“Many more are homeless but unseen, sleeping on floors, in sheds, cars and empty buildings, or in council-funded temporary accommodation. This is the worst I have known it in over twenty years.”
Citizens Advice Exeter chief officer Sue Julyan said: “Our survey published last month revealed that over 7% of people living in Exeter and 5% of people living in Exmouth & Exeter East have more money going out than coming in every month.
“Our research also found that 62% of voters in Exeter and 55% of voters in Exmouth & Exeter East said that the cost of living, or living standards, was one of the most important issues in determining how they will vote.”
St Petrock’s mobile rough sleeper support service in action
St Petrock’s began providing homelessness support in December 1994. Its team, supported by 30 volunteers, helps people to access housing, healthcare, benefits and other essential services.
From its centre in Cathedral Yard it provides hot showers, laundry facilities, phone and internet access and supplies survival equipment and clothing and serves breakfast and lunch to rough sleepers across the city each weekday.
Between April and December last year the charity washed almost 500 loads of laundry, gave out over 1,500 items of clothing and provided almost 1,000 sessions of emotional and practical support.
Citzens Advice Exeter supports people with financial, legal and other problems.
It offers free, confidential advice and impartial information on issues including housing, benefits, debt, employment and consumer rights.
The general election homelessness and hardship hustings takes place from 7pm on Thursday 27 June 2024 at South Street Baptist Church.
