Help is available for anyone at risk of becoming homeless and people must come forward and seek support, Exeter’s Lead Councillor for Housing and Homelessness Prevention has said.
Cllr Marina Asvachin was speaking at the start of the council’s annual Homeless Awareness Week, from 6-10 October.
Throughout the week a variety of content will be shared to help those who may be in housing need, as well as highlighting the stories of those who have experienced homelessness in Exeter.
Cllr Asvachin said people can find themselves homeless at any time with a change in their circumstances like redundancy, ill health or a relationship breakdown.
A dedicated team of officers at the Council work tirelessly, together with other agencies and the community and voluntary sector, to address the problem in Exeter.
Cllr Asvachin said: “A lot of people can find themselves homeless through no fault of their own. It might be as a result of domestic violence, losing your job or through illness and an inability to pay for accommodation – there’s a lot of reasons that it could happen to anyone and it is so important that people get in touch and see what help is available.
“We have dedicated teams here at the council and we also work with a wide variety of partner organisations including outreach teams.”
Homelessness is not just about living on the street, it might be people who are vulnerably housed like sofa surfing, where they are moving from house to house sleeping on the sofas of friends.
Cllr Asvachin said Homeless Awareness Week is a good way of raising issues around homelessness by giving a voice to people who have lived through the experience as well as those who are dedicated to supporting them.
She said: “I’m hoping that during Homeless Awareness Week 2025 people we see the positive outcomes that can happen to people who find themselves homeless.
“During the week people will be able to see some good news stories, of people who have managed to turn their lives around with the support of the agencies that are out there to help.
“I’d also like people to understand a little bit more about homeless and for people to consider doing their bit to try and help.”
As the statutory body responsible for housing and homeless prevention, people should get in touch with the Council at the earliest opportunity if they are at risk of becoming homeless.
“Anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they need help should get in touch with the Council,” Cllr Asvachin said.
“The Council’s website has a lot of information and anyone who can’t access this should call us or come in and see us at the Civic Centre because we are here to help.”
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