Homelessness bill one step closer to law after crucial parliamentary vote

Today Bob Blackman's Homelessness Reduction Bill passed its crucial second reading in the House of Commons.

 Responding, Crisis Chief Executive Jon Sparkes said: “This is a landmark moment, and we’d like to thank the 100+ MPs from across the political spectrum who came together to back this unique bill, as well as Government ministers for offering their support at such a critical time.

“We are particularly grateful to Mr Blackman MP for the passion and dedication he has shown in bringing the bill to this stage, and to the thousands of campaigners who took action urging their MPs to attend.
“We still have a long way to go before this bill becomes law, but we’ll be there every step of the way to help make sure that happens. For 40 years we’ve had a system that fails too many homeless people. Time and again we hear from people who were turned away from help when they needed it most, despite the fact they had nowhere left to go. Yet if councils get the funding to make it work, the Homelessness Reduction Bill could help put an end to that injustice once and for all.

“We have the momentum and we have the cross party consensus, and today’s success shows what can be done when people come together to tackle homelessness. Yet this is no time for complacency. We must continue to build on what we’ve achieved today, both to get the bill through parliament and to make it work for homeless people if and when it finally becomes law.”