Ambitious initiative takes new approach to tackle homelessness in Exeter

People who have been homeless will be at the heart of a new collaborative initiative to tackle the problems of homelessness in Exeter.

Public sector organisations, businesses, charities, residents and people with experience of homelessness will be brought together to form the Exeter Homeless Partnership and will develop a city-wide response to address the issue.

The new three-year project, which has been funded by Comic Relief, and will be managed by CoLab (Exeter’s wellbeing and innovation hub), has been launched today (10 October) to mark World Homelessness Day.

Project Coordinator Stuart Hooper, who has worked in the homeless sector in Exeter for eight years says: ‘Colleagues across local authorities and charities may have different responsibilities, but they share a commitment to preventing and reducing homelessness in Exeter. By joining this partnership, we are all acknowledging that working more closely together and involving people across the city is the best way to go.’

The partnership, which is managed by a group of people representing a number of organisations including Exeter City Council and St Petrock’s, will be seeking the views of people across Exeter; from those closest to homelessness and including businesses and the general public.

It also plans to produce a Charter – a ‘one page’ commitment that reflects the values and vision of everyone involved. They’ll be asking the business community to sign up to the Charter when it is launched in 2020.

Over the next six months, the partnership will be hosting a variety of events, consultations and forums. As well as listening to people closest to homelessness services, there is a commitment to hearing from anyone who would like to contribute.

One of the organisations involved in delivering this unique project is Exeter City Council.

Cllr Morse, Portfolio Holder from the Supporting People programme at the Council says: ‘On World Homelessness Day, we are very proud to be part of Exeter Homeless Partnership’s launch. Homelessness affects everyone in the city; and as a city we need to do better to prevent and resolve homelessness in all its forms. We know that many families are one pay cheque away from being homeless, and that countless others have to sleep where they can, from a friend’s sofa to their own car.’

Cllr Morse continues: ‘As a council, we have clear responsibilities around homelessness prevention and relief. Perhaps more importantly, we are passionate about improving the lives and wellbeing of everyone in the city; particularly the most vulnerable. This partnership offers an opportunity for everyone to be part of addressing the imbalance we see as well as that which we do not.

If the public, businesses and agencies across this wonderful city can support the partnership and explore the ways that they can help, we can all feel better about Exeter being a fairer and more compassionate city.’

If you would like to find out more about Exeter Homeless Partnership or to have your say, please visit:

https://streetsupport.net/exeter/

www.colabexeter.org.uk

or tweet @homelessexeter