Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, is supporting a new private member’s bill, with cross party backing, which would ensure that both families and individuals get the help they need to prevent them from becoming homeless. In the debate Emma referred to her own personal experiences of homelessness while growing up, and how this made her passionate about tackling this problem.

The new law, if passed, would require councils in England to provide advice and support for anyone at risk of homelessness, regardless of whether they are deemed to be in “priority need” under existing laws. Currently the law only imposes duties on local authorities to help families with children or vulnerable people classified as “priority need”. The new duty, inspired by laws introduced by the Labour government in Wales in 2015, would give anyone who is homeless, or at imminent risk of losing their home, the right to practical help to prevent them losing a tenancy or secure new accommodation.

Speaking in the debate in Parliament, Emma said:

“Homelessness is an issue close to my heart. Thirty-four years ago my Mom and I were left homeless and as a single parent, my Mom applied to the local council for a council home. Fortunately for us after a few months of staying with family and friends, we were granted a council flat.

“I know that my Mom was very relieved when we stepped into our new home. We were lucky. In the early 1980s there wasn’t a chronic shortage of council homes. But fast forward three decades if Mom and I were in the same situation we would either be put in a hostel, temporary accommodation or the private rented sector. Under this Tory government, homelessness in England is getting worse not better. There has been a shocking increase in homelessness and the number of people sleeping rough has doubled.”

Speaking after the debate, Emma said:

“I support this Bill and spoke in support of it. However, I made clear to the government that new duties on Councils must go hand in hand with new money, otherwise it won’t work in practice.

“The legislation must also be part of a wider strategy to boost house-building. Nationally, we face an acute housing shortage because this Tory government is building less than half the number of houses we need to keep up with demand. Building more council houses is vital to address this shortage. Councils like Wolverhampton are building as many homes as they can. The government needs to do more.”

October 2016