Homeless Link welcomes the appointment of Grant Shapps as new Housing Minister

Yesterday, Grant Shapps MP was appointed as Housing Minister for the new coalition government.  Mr Shapps has worked as Shadow Housing Minister since 2007 and is well known to the housing and homelessness sector. 

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of national umbrella body Homeless Link, said, “We are delighted to learn that Grant Shapps has been appointed as Housing Minister.  We have worked closely with Grant for several years - including as Chair of the Conservative Party’s Homelessness Foundation.  He is a passionate and committed champion of our work to end homelessness and rough sleeping.  Homelessness is a complex issue that cuts across all government department agendas.  In a recent interview we conducted with Grant Shapps, he said, “I believe that ending homelessness is a mark of how civilised you are as a society and if we are to be a civilised 21st century society we shouldn't have, under any circumstances, people living on the streets.”    We look forward to working with Grant on taking forward the manifesto commitments on homelessness and wish him every success. “