1. St Petrock’s (Exeter) Ltd

2. Housing in Exeter:  While Exeter’s economy is developing in some areas and attracting business and people to the area – low average wages and a lack of housing have created a crisis for many.  Affordable housing is the single biggest challenge. Rents are one of the highest outside greater London.

3. Homelessness in Exeter:  Exeter has had a high homelessness population since the early 1990’s – large rural county few centres – typically low wages/opportunities/poverty  Rough sleeper hotspot count = 34 in Nov 2014 – 5 th highest city outside London.

4. St Petrock’s Background:  St Petrock’s started as a small community project - at Palace Gate in the early ‘90’s in response to growing visible number of street homeless.  The Central Parish of Exeter then offered 2/3 of St Petrock’s church which was adapted for use and opened as our homeless resource centre in 2004.

5. The charity’s objects:  The charity’s objects are “to help people who are in hardship and distress, who are resident in Exeter and its neighbourhood and who are homeless or threatened with homelessness”.  This objective is enhanced by our overall project aim “to tackle multiple disadvantage and social exclusion by improving independence and employability”.

6. Our primary beneficiaries are people who are :  Currently sleeping rough on the streets.  Vulnerably housed (i.e. accommodation not meeting basic health and safety standards).  Living in temporary accommodation or on friends sofas or floors.  Struggling to keep the tenancy on their flat or at risk of eviction.  Isolated from support networks, family and friends.  Living with a drug, alcohol or gambling addiction.  Looking for work, training or volunteering.  Coping with a mental health or emotional problem.

7. Housing and Support Services Basic Survival Housing Advice and Referrals Rough Sleeper Response Private Rent and Support Severe Weather Emergency Provision Healthcare Drop ins STP Centre Services HMP Exeter Housing Advice PORCH Project Devon Offender Resettlement Services Community Hub Criminal Justice Services

8. Demand for services

9. Our Statistics for 2013 show:  84% of clients accessing our services were single adults with no statutory rights to housing  31% were homeless for the first time  47% had an offending history  15% has physical health needs  47% had mental health concerns  80% had alcohol or substance misuse issues  22% were under 26  15% were over 50

10. What We Achieve:  In 2013/14, our Centre teams worked with 618 individuals with 11,180 client visits  Our NSNO Rough Sleeper Response Team assessed 215 people new to the streets and as a result 81% avoided a 2nd night out.  Our PRS team accommodated 26 and supported 37 clients in private rented accommodation in Exeter, East and Mid Devon.

11. What We Achieve:  Our Prison team supported 945 offenders prior to release and accommodated 577 around the country  Our PORCH team accommodated and supported 46 prolific offenders in the community  864 individuals in total were supported into accommodation

12. Income – principle funding sources 2014

13. Local Homelessness Issues:  Emergency accommodation for people new to the streets.  Available supported accommodation for those rough sleepers ready to move inside.  Outreach health and drug & alcohol services  Legal high shops/Benefit sanctions/Debt collection

14. How Churches Can Help:  Keep supporting charities.  A proposal for a city night shelter has gone out – funding required for necessary training and to fund a co-ordinator as it needs to be run safely. Space and time will be the next hurdle.