As the political landscape shifts, what does this mean for our mission to end homelessness?
With a new Government ready to take office, our Chief Executive, Dr Fran Darlington-Pollock, reflects on what this means for the collective mission to end homelessness.
As the UK wakes to a new administration, many will be filled with hope and a sense of opportunity. While some will be railing against the relationship between share of the vote and the share of seats in parliament, others may be celebrating a new and increased diversity of opinion.
Whatever your political stance, and whatever your commitment to FPTP or PR, now is the time for focus and attention on the first 100 days.
October 13th will give the country a point to reflect on what has been achieved, and what is possible under only the 7th Labour Prime Minister to hold office. For those enmeshed within the homelessness ecosystem, it is notable that this date will fall just after World Homeless Day.
So what could a new Labour government mean for the longstanding and increasingly urgent need to truly end homelessness in the UK?
The new incumbents will point to their record on this matter. The last time a Labour government was in power, they were on track to eradicate rough sleeping. But the picture then was very different from the picture now. Ending homelessness means more than eradicating rough sleeping. The economy, housing market, and public political opinion – despite the landslide victory – are not what they were in 1997.
We have seen a rise in right-wing populist thinking, not isolated to the UK. The global financial crash of 2008, with its roots attributed to a highly problematic mortgage and lending culture, not only decimated the housing market but saw public expenditure slashed and the economy collapse.
Fiscal austerity may have waned, but the cost of living crisis has become a new norm. The availability and affordability of anything from homes to everyday essentials is felt not just by those at the sharp end of inequality or on the frontline of poverty.
Any action to end homelessness and eradicate rough sleeping will need to be multifaceted, deep, and enduring. Labour’s manifesto pledges, ranging from the development of a new cross-government strategy and civil service unit to lead the charge, expanding and updating social housing, reviewing or even ending Right to Buy, or immediately abolishing no-fault evictions each lay clear markers in the sand.
Homelessness is rising. The numbers of people rough sleeping are rising.
Let’s not just watch on what a new Parliament will herald, but actively push, challenge, lead and demand what change is needed.
Check in on 13.10.24?