Last week, Stephen hosted a reception in Parliament on behalf of the charity Crisis.
The event provided Crisis with an opportunity to petition Parliamentarians to focus on the issue of homelessness. The event centred around the link between homelessness and domestic abuse. In 2018/19 99 households in Newham lost their homes due to domestic abuse. Crisis pressed members to ensure that the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill guaranteed that domestic abuse survivors were given a legal right to settled housing.
Stephen said: “I support the excellent work of Crisis. In 2018/19 1904 households received assistance form Newham Council for homelessness. This figure is far too high. A concerted effort needs to be made to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. I will ask the Government to support measures that protect the homeless, including the repeal of the Vagrancy Act”.
