The annual party conference is a curious ritual in British politics. It marks the changing of the political season and is a time for politicians and party activists to gather, debate and listen to speeches, all while enjoying the dubious hospitality of a city centre conference venue.

For campaigners like us, it’s a prime opportunity to connect with politicians and build support for ending homelessness.

We spent the last few weeks at Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative Party Conferences, meeting with a range of politicians to talk to them about how they can help.

With a new party in government for the first time in 14 years and half of MPs in Westminster new to their roles, we had our work cut out!

But what did we learn?

1. Politicians are listening 

Across the three conferences we attended, we met with 43 MPs and 12 ministers or shadow ministers all invested in ending homelessness, including MPs with personal experience of homelessness.

Some of our experts by experience spoke to MPs at Labour Party conference, and Crisis member Ray joined panel discussions alongside Angela Rayner MP, the deputy prime minister, and Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor.

Ray said:

“The day I walked into Crisis I asked them to put me in front of politicians and let me share my story...We have to show strength in ourselves and use the pain, anger, raw emotions and turn that around and show them what it means to be homeless. Sharing lived experience and having a voice alongside politicians is how we can create change and achieve the solutions to end homelessness for good.”

Ray and Crisis staff meeting with Seema Malhotra, a Home Office Minister. 

We were encouraged to hear the Prime Minister talk about people facing homelessness in his speech, and we welcome his plan to improve social housing access for survivors of domestic abuse, care leavers, and veterans – all groups that face a higher risk of homelessness and experience barriers to leaving homelessness behind.

In the long term, it’s crucial that the Government tackle the root causes and invest in social housing and support services to end all forms of homelessness. We’ll be ensuring that their promised cross-Government strategy on homelessness does just that.

2. Labour are betting the house on homes

We were pleased to hear Angela Rayner MP, the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, re-iterate the Government’s promise to deliver the “biggest boost to social and affordable house-building in a generation” and set out how she will lead cross-Government work to end homelessness.

This ambition is welcome, but it can’t come soon enough. A chronic lack of social housing is putting lives on hold, harming our health, and forcing people into homelessness.

Our recent research with Lloyds Banking group showed that nearly three quarters (73%) of people on social housing waiting lists face accommodation issues that have harmed their health.

We need funding to make the delivery of social homes a reality, strong rules and targets to make sure homes for social rent aren’t sidelined in a rush to build, and ways of ensuring they go to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

MPs shared what home means to them – most commonly safety, security and peace. We all need this foundation for a happy healthy life.

3. New faces are making waves with the Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrat conference was a celebration of their recent electoral success, and featured one of Ed Davey’s trademark stunts. This time he arrived on a jet ski!

Sadly, we had to stick to trains to get to Brighton but we kicked things off with a meeting with Vikki Slade MP, the new shadow spokesperson for housing.

In their general election manifesto, the Liberal Democrats had ambitious targets on social housing and ways to end homelessness – including finally scrapping the Vagrancy Act! We can work with them to push the Government to be even bolder in their policies on homelessness.

4. Conservatives focused on leadership bids

At the Conservative Party Conference, the competition to elect a new leader brought with it giant flags bearing the faces of the four candidates, hustings, debates and a battle of the merch - think mugs, transfer tattoos, and even fake tan!

As the party reflected on how they can win back voters, it was great to see fringe events on the future of social housing. And Bob Blackman, co-chair of the APPG for Ending Homelessness, repeated our call for 90,000 social homes needed per year to end homelessness.

The Conservative party are now the official opposition party, which means they challenge the Government in Parliament – all eyes on who will lead them in doing so.

So, what should we take away from this conference season?

Building a future free from homelessness will take time - it requires long-term policies, investment and cross-party support. But the foundations are being laid and we’re feeling hopeful.

The Government has taken positive steps and new MPs are ready to play their part in ending homelessness.

To show the Government that you want them to turn their promises into action and that you’re ready to play your part, join us.

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