Crisis Boss Highlights ‘Accommodation Shortage’

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis has highlighted the shortage of accommodation for homeless people at the organisation’s annual conference in London. Morphy was the opening speaker yesterday at the Crisis ‘Tackling homelessness in the next decade’ conference at the Stock Exchange in London.

Looking back at the past decade, Morphy pinpointed some of the Government’s successes in tackling homelessness – particularly in the reduction of rough sleeping. But she said: “There are issues that very much remain such as the shortage of accommodation for homeless people. It stops people moving out of hostels and trying to get themselves back into a position of sustaining and maintaining their lives.”

Morphy took up the top post in November, replacing Shaks Gosh who left Crisis after 10 years at the helm. “We need to build alliances with mental health, offenders, education, training and employment,” she said.

Morphy said she was enthused by statements from the next Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has indicated that housing is rising up the political agenda. She added: “Crisis’ mission is to target single homeless people. There are strong concerns that our sons and daughters are being excluded from housing. We need housing at all levels and we must take proper care of the stock of social housing.”

“It is important that the homeless and housing agenda is linked to education and employment. Crisis is 40 years old and it’s important that we make life start again for homeless people.”