Following last week’s general election, Prime Minister, Theresa May, has announced that Sajid Javid MP will retain his position as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, where he will oversee the Government’s response to homelessness.

This follows manifesto commitments from the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats to end of rough sleeping once and for all.

Responding, Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said:

“For the first time ever, the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats all fought the election with manifesto promises to end rough sleeping in England, and with a hung parliament, that cross-party support is more important than ever.

“Political uncertainty doesn’t help homeless people, and with homelessness finally getting the attention it deserves, we need to make sure these manifesto pledges aren’t lost in the fog. Promises alone won’t get people off the streets. We need concerted action, and we need all parties to work together to make this a reality.

“The new Government has resolved to halve rough sleeping over the course of this parliament and to eliminate it by 2027. The Secretary of State has already shown his commitment to tackling homelessness by supporting the Homelessness Reduction Act earlier this year, and we hope this ambition will continue into the new parliament.

“Whatever happens in the coming months and years, we stand ready to work with ministers and across all parties to help bring the scandal of rough sleeping to an end.”

ENDS

For further information or for spokesperson interviews call 020 7426 3853 or email thomas.phillips@crisis.org.uk. For out-of-hours media enquiries please call: 07973 372587