Major events in the past 35 years
1974 74/76 Whitstable Road established as our first hostel1974 Wilson forms minority Labour government
1975 Margaret Thatcher becomes leader of the Conservative party
1977 Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 introduced statutory duties on local authorities to assist those who are homeless
1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first woman Prime Minister
1985 Housing Act amended the definition of homelessness with priority need categories set
1988 Most 16 and 17 year olds lose their entitlement to Income Support
1991 Census counts 2703 people rough sleeping in Britain
1994 Craddock House opens in refurbished army barracks in Canterbury
1995 Second hostel on Whitstable Road in Canterbury opens
1996 Housing Act updated to include idea of eligibility
1997 Labour wins power and Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister
1997 Porchlight builds and opens hostel for young persons services
1998 Rough Sleeper Initative set up by government
1999 Hostel opens in Ashford
2001 Porchlight starts to provide Floating Support services to prevent homelessness
2002 Homelessness Act changes made around priority need
2003 Supporting People programme launched
2003 Hostel opens in Dover
2004 Housing Act introduces legislation around houses in multiple occupation and increases protection to gypsies and travellers
2004 Mental health supported accommodation opens in Dover and hostel opens in Ramsgate
2007 Kent wide outreach service launched
2008 Mental health service opens in Margate
2008 Government No-one Left Out strategy to end rough sleeping by 2012
2009 Porchlight named as Ending Rough Sleeper Champion by Government
An interview with the Chief Executive
Watch our video interview with the Chief Executive, Mike Barrett, in which he talks about how provision and attitudes towards single homeless people has changed since 1974.
Press Release
View the press release online…
35 years of homelessness
A look back at the social and political factors that have helped shape the services that are provided for homeless and vulnerable people today…
35 years of homelessness – download version… (PDF 76KB)
Porchlight Project Histories – download version… (PDF 49KB)
1970’s image archive
We have delved deep in the Porchlight archives and found some fascinating photographs of our service users from the 1970’s. Take a look…
These images are also available on our Flickr photostream…
If you would like to request high resolution versions of these images for use in your publication please email Mark Parry or telephone 01227 813196
Annual Review 2008-09
Our latest annual review will give you a feel for the range of services we provide in Kent… (PDF 1.67MB)
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