Chris White, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Warwick and Leamington, yesterday joined local Councillors, representatives of local organisations and local residents at a Discussion Forum as part of the Poverty and Homelessness Action Week.

More than 60 people attended the meeting, at St Peter's Pastoral Centre in Dormer Place, Leamington, to discuss whether or not there is a problem of homelessness and poverty in the town.  Representatives from organisations as diverse as the Police, Warwick District Council, MIND, the Young Housing Project, Home Care for the Elderly, Citizen's Advice Bureau and Leamington Christian Mission were present to try and to help identify the most important causes of the problem.

Among the main issues raised were the cost of housing and rented accommodation, family breakdown and a lack of short-term sheltered sleeping accommodation in the area.

Speaking after the meeting Chris White said: "This was a really positive starting point for tackling this problem in our area - it's great to see so many organisations working together to try and understand the causes of poverty and homelessness in Leamington, and looking to arriving at some long-term solutions."

The meeting was organised by 'Justice and Peace at St Peter's' with the support of Churches Together in Leamington.

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