ON OUR RADAR

Homelessness and hardship hustings

St Petrock’s and Citizens Advice Exeter host a general election hustings to focus political attention on the city’s most vulnerable people.

Leigh Curtis

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 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 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.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

The general election homelessness and hardship hustings takes place from 7pm on Thursday 27 June 2024 at South Street Baptist Church.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription from £8.50/month to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Devon MPs voting record assisted dying bill second reading map

How did Devon MPs vote on the assisted dying bill second reading?

Ten of Devon’s thirteen MPs voted in favour of a private member’s bill to legalise assisted dying in the House of Commons on Friday as the bill reached its crucial second reading stage.

Exeter neighbourhood relative deprivation indices 2019 map

Exeter real-terms wages fall while increasing in neighbouring districts

Devon Public Health Intelligence index also scores several Exeter neighbourhoods among highest combined relative poverty risk areas in county.

Acting Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Jim Colwell

Acting Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Jim Colwell suspended

Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation of gross misconduct allegations follows suspension of previous Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr last year.

Devon County Council Cabinet meeting on 13 November 2024

2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months

County council breaches Local Government Act by failing to publish budget documents in time for scrutiny and cabinet meetings and councillors complain about missing financial information and being “kept in the dark” about SEND delivery.

InExeter team with board members

Exeter Business Improvement District wins ballot for third five-year term

Just under half of 670 businesses eligible to vote took part, 90% voting in favour of renewal.

Flowerpot Fields revised proposed floor plan keyframe

Exeter College amends Flowerpot Fields plans to replace two of six classrooms with changing rooms

Revisions submitted during building construction also show two rooms described as “changing rooms” and “overflow sports training and education space”, both with unobscured full-height classroom windows and no shower facilities.