Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali MP visits Praxis

Rushanara Ali MP, Minister for Homelessness and Democracy, visited Praxis and met with staff and group members last Friday (28th February).

The Minister was shown around Praxis and heard about our immigration advice services in Bethnal Green, including our work with Crisis Skylight Project, our Hospital Discharge Project at Royal London, and our monthly drop-in service at Praxis.

The Minister then heard about the hugely disproportionate levels of rough sleeping among migrant communities and how hostile immigration policies push people into poverty and homelessness. Group members and campaigners shared their experiences and insights into what needs to change.

Minnie Rahman, CEO of Praxis:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Minister for Homelessness Rushanara Ali MP to Praxis and speak to her about our work supporting migrants at risk of and experiencing homelessness. At Praxis we warmly welcome the government’s commitment to cutting homelessness and it was great to discuss this commitment today.

This Government has a real opportunity to tackle the staggering number of people experiencing homelessness in the UK. However, for the strategy to be effective, we believe it must recognise hostile immigration policies’ role in pushing people into homelessness. We hope to continue to engage with the government to ensure migrant stakeholders and organisations that support them are a key voice as the strategy is written.”

4th March 2025