IMAGINE finding out your home is no longer secure, having no idea where you will live. This is the experience of more and more people in Mid Devon. Searching for help you can feel pushed from pillar to post.

For 22 years the Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT) has been providing free advice and help to people in housing need in Mid Devon and during this time the organisation says the numbers needing help have increased.

It states:

• In one week last month CHAT worked with 42 people in severe housing need – 15 rough-sleepers (this has been as high as 22 recently), 17 sofa-surfers, eight with notice to quit and two in temporary accommodation.

• In the last year its Housing Advisors delivered 2,308 sessions; its Tenancy Support Team supported 120 people to keep their tenancies, many of these in the Crediton area; 20 people were helped into accommodation using the CHAT deposit guarantee scheme and 945 emergency food parcels were given out – a 31 per cent increase on the previous year; CHAT also refer clients to the Crediton Food Bank.

• CHAT has continued to provide two outreach sessions a week in the Crediton Council Offices. They run from 10am – 12.30pm: Housing Advice on Tuesdays and Tenancy Support on Fridays. People wanting housing help are welcome to attend either session.

Ruth Morley, CHAT’s community development officer, explained: “At the same time as need has increased, funding has decreased – for CHAT and other agencies.

“The necessity for a new approach has become clear. In order to provide improved facilities, CHAT is moving to new premises – Coggans Well House (the old Tiverton Job Centre) – where we plan to create a Hub for Housing Help. This Hub will allow clients to access many services under one roof, with an improved reception area, computers, a new food bank and access to other facilities.

“We are fundraising for this. We receive no help from central government – the vast majority of our funds are from local supporters and grant-making trusts.

“We need the support of Mid Devon businesses and individuals. We have written to businesses about this, but would be happy to have support from anyone who feels able to help.”

LAUNCH

The Hub will be officially opened by David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant of Devon, on Tuesday, October 10, at a Launch Event running from 4pm to 7pm at Coggans Well House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton.

A Prayer Event, led by the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, will be held on Thursday, August 31, at the new Hub, also from 4pm to 7pm. All are welcome to both or either event.

Ruth added: “Homelessness affects all parts of a person’s life – mental and physical health, relationships, opportunities in life and hope for the future.

“Homelessness can happen to anyone, so there’s no such thing as a typical homeless person, or a typical CHAT client. Our teams see each person who comes through our doors as a whole person, a person with a history, who hasn’t always been in this situation - and a person with a future.

“Please help us to make this Hub the best it can be and a beacon of hope for Mid Devon.”

Alan Quick