Members of the community union Acorn have been taking to the streets to register homeless people, temporarily housed and private renters to vote in the upcoming general election.
Members have been all across Brighton to register voters at soup kitchens, housing advice and community centres, street stalls and in temporary accommodation.
Acorn members have also been hitting the streets to door knock areas which have high amounts of private renters and low voter turnout.
Chair of the Brighton branch of Acorn Sam Dunnett said: “The needs of low-income and vulnerably housed people need to be heard in this election.
“It’s shocking that 90 per cent of homeowners are registered to vote, but only 50 per cent of people in private rented housing are, and many homeless people we have spoken to weren’t even aware that they could register without a fixed address.”
The registration drive comes as shocking figures reveal just two per cent of homeless people are on the electoral roll – and 48 councils around England do not have a single person registered to vote who doesn’t have a permanent address.
Campaign Organiser Paul Williams said: “We think it’s important than everyone registers to vote, especially those who are suffering the effects of the rigged housing system.
“The effects of this unfair system in Brighton means that almost a third of people are now living in private rented accommodation, and there are over 4,000 people struggling in temporary accommodation.”
ACORN have registered almost 100 people to vote so far including around 50 people with no fixed address.
