Nightstop Devon

General information

Community Housing Aid started off in 1990 as a voluntary advice service
offering housing advice to people facing homelessness in Exeter. It was run
by volunteers operating from Exeter Community Centre and subsequently from
23 Richmond Road. In June 1998 it became a registered charity known as
Exeter Homeless Action Group and in September 1998 it also became a limited
company.  It had 6 paid staff and a large team of volunteers. In 1999 EHAG
moved to larger offices in Bartholomew Street. The team grew over the next
few years, by 2004 there were 38 paid staff and an income of 1.1 million.

In 2008 after consultation with stakeholders, the name was changed to
Community Housing Aid to reflect the wider scope and area of the Charity’s
work.  A new logo was designed along with a new look website and publicity
material to reflect a more user friendly interface. 

2010 saw the impact of the global recession start to take effect, with all
local authorities being required to make significant cuts to their
expenditure. The biggest impact locally was to Supporting People; with
between 3 and 4 million withdrawn from homelessness services across Devon. 
Whilst there was not a direct impact on CHA’s funding, the cuts
reverberated across the sector; and with less supported accommodation
available for young people, a trend for young people needing to stay longer
on Nightstop started. Sadly, this trend has continued to the current day.