Archbishop visits Shelter's Advice Centre

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews will join Dr Williams on a tour of the centre, meeting with staff to hear about their work helping the homeless and poorly housed. The Archbishop will also spend time with current and former Shelter clients, hearing about their experiences of the housing crisis. 

Shelter's Advice Service is a lifeline to people in Chatham and North Kent and offers free independent advice to people on a range of housing issues including problem landlords, mortgage arrears and homelessness. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury said, "I am delighted to be visiting Shelter's Advice Centre today, and grateful for the opportunity of drawing attention not just to the first-rate work done locally by the Centre but to the urgent need nationally for more affordable housing and better provision of good and accessible rented homes. Shelter's "Now is the Time" campaign could not come at a more significant moment as the effects of the financial crisis touch more and more people. I hope it will strengthen the resolve of the Government - and of all of us – to address this situation creatively".

Mark Ellison, Shelter Kent Service Manager said: "We are seeing a real increase in demand for our services as more people struggle to make ends meet. This visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Baroness Andrews is clear recognition of this and we were thrilled to be able to show them first hand the important work we do."