Canterbury sees unemployment Rise 25%

By Brendan Lynch 

HOMELESS charity Porchlight has reported a 25% raise in people seeking their assistance. The Canterbury based charity; which helps find homes and support for those who need it were approached by 890 people in 2010, compared to the 714 of the previous year looking for a place to live. This is a staggering figure as the unemployment rate around the whole country is rising.

The Chief Executive of Porchlight Mike Barrett stated his expectation for this figure to continue rising, blaming the shortage of rented accommodation, and many needing the help staying with their friends.

Mr Barrett said: “There’s no employment. There is a low pay employment but people struggle to pay the cost of their rent; so an increase is likely to happen.”

In his blog on Porchlights web page he said the onslaught of cuts mean “the most vulnerable are being targeted, and are likely to cause greater suffering to those in the most acute housing need” You can read the full post here.

Areas of Canterbury can see the effect of homelessness, with the high street at times seeing its fair share of the poor begging in the streets for a bit of coin or finding a street corner to rest for the night. This is just one area where it is noticeable, however is it noticeable to the residents of Canterbury? I asked around to see whether it is a clear rise.

 In February Porchlight began its Change a Future campaign asking the public to get in touch with them if they know the location of a ‘rough sleeper’. This is a campaign which has drawn great support from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who recently visited one of Porchlights 'rough sleepers' centres. This campaign has become key to the charity and has become one of the country's largest rough sleeper support teams.

You can get in touch with them by calling 0800 567 7699 or visiting their website.