CHAT is firmly rooted in the Christian community of Mid Devon with its origins as an ecumenical initiative of the Churches of Tiverton formed in 1993. It drew expertise from the Churches National Housing Coalition (now called Housing Justice), a national lobbying organisation and the Exeter Homes Committee.
With small grants from Mid Devon District Council and Mid Devon Social Services and donations from local Churches it was registered as a charity and company limited by guarantee in 1995.
The first member of staff was employed in July 1996 and the main purpose was to provide regular housing advice surgeries in the three main population centres Tiverton, Crediton, Cullompton and to access private rented accommodation for those in housing need through the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Subsequent grants meant we were able to employ two additional workers, a resettlement worker and administrator in 1997 and 1998 respectively. At this point we began tenancy support to prevent tenancies from breaking down.