St Petrock’s (Exeter) Ltd

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.

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 – 5th highest city outside London.

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.

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”.

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.

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

Demand for services

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/140

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Total attendances at St Petrock's Drop in Services

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

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

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.

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

Income – principle funding sources 2014

35%

32%

18%

5%

5%4%1%

Local Community

Trusts and Foundations

Homeless Transitions Fund

HMP Exeter

Other Statutory Bodies

ECC

Other

Homelessness Transitions Fund

Trusts and Foundations

Local Community

HMP Exeter

Other Statutory Bodies

ECC Other

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

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.