Decent homes for all - Thangam Debbonaire

Houses in Bristol

The UK currently faces a housing crisis. Since 2010 we’ve seen a steep drop in investment for new affordable homes; billions of pounds cut from housing benefit; inaction on short-term lets; soaring rents in the private rented sector; and significant cuts to funding for homelessness services.

Everyone has the right to a decent home. On this page you will find my work in Parliament and in Bristol to campaign for meaningful action to tackle housing inequality, end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a place to call home.

My latest work on this issue

A once-in-a-generation chance to end rough sleeping

While we all know about the health emergency and the economic problems caused by COVID-19, there is also an emergency in housing. If the government does not respond to this crisis in the right way, many more people will be forced from their homes and end up sleeping on the…

Urgent action to protect renters in the COVID crisis

Unless the government acts fast, we could see an unprecedented spike in evictions and homelessness, as the economic repercussions of the coronavirus crisis are already hitting people’s ability to pay their rent. As Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, I’ve put forward a five-point plan the government needs to…

COVID-19 and housing – my letter to the government

In this time of national lockdown, decent homes are more important than ever. And the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated many inequalities, forcing some people to the brink of homelessness In my new role as shadow Secretary of State for Housing and Homelessness, I have put forward a number of pressing…

My new role as Shadow Secretary of State for Housing

I am honoured to have been asked to serve the country as Shadow Secretary of State for Housing and I look forward to campaigning for strong housing policies that will improve lives across the country. In this national crisis and the effort to limit the spread of Covid-19, our homes…

COVID-19, housing and council funding: My letter to the government

From ongoing conversations with Bristol City Council and hundreds of constituents, I have compiled a list of concerns about how the COVID-19 crisis will affect local government and housing in Bristol. I have included them in the letter below to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, to push…

COVID-19: housing rights – new information as of 27th March 2020

The government has updated its guidance for people who rent or own their home and are struggling as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and the government policies and consequences for businesses and jobs. You can read the guidance in full here. Below is a summary of the key points:…

Join me in supporting a day centre for Bristol’s homeless people

Many of you have written to me about homelessness, so I thought I would share this excellent initiative with you. Bristol has several shelters where homeless people can find a bed for the night, but there is nowhere for them to go during the day. I discussed this problem in…

Homeless people dying should be a public health emergency

It shames us all that deaths of homeless people have risen by a quarter over the last five years. This grim statistic is hardly surprising when you consider that homelessness and rough sleeping have also rocketed, while the organisations saving lives have been cut or cancelled completely. This includes drugs…

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