Corbyn Comments On Kingsway House

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has had his say on Signature Living’s controversial Kingsway House homeless shelter, according to a report in the Liverpool Echo.

Speaking about the Kingsway House project, Mr Corbyn said: “Homelessness has increased every year under this Tory Government. As a society, we simply cannot carry on walking by on the other side when thousands have no home to call their own. I welcome all efforts to help those in need. I congratulate Lawrence and his team for their efforts in Liverpool.”

Mr Corbyn’s office has also invited Mr Kenwright to visit him in Parliament later this year to talk about his experiences of working with rough sleepers and hear his ideas for supporting those people on the streets with complex needs. Mr Kenwright said he will be delighted to meet the socialist Labour leader – and has invited city mayor Joe Anderson to join him for the trip.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “The heart-breaking images of homeless people sleeping on cardboard boxes in the freezing weather conditions prompted my decision to open Kingsway House. I never promised to provide expert help but I knew the city needed support to deal with the crisis. I’ve learned a lot about the plight facing homeless people and the issues they face.”

“It is truly humbling to have the support of Jeremy Corbyn. It means the world to our volunteers and the people we’re helping at Kingsway House. The Labour leader certainly values the work we’ve done and the attempts we’ve made to improve the lives of rough sleepers in Liverpool.”

“I’m grateful to Mr Corbyn for his backing and I look forward to meeting him to discuss my experiences. I am also intending to invite Mayor Joe Anderson to the meeting so he can talk to him about the work the City Council is also doing in the face of extreme Government cuts.”

Mayor Anderson has been broadly supportive of the Kingsway House shelter – while reiterating that rough sleepers with the most complex needs should be directed to the council’s specialist centre at Labre House in Camden Street.

Kingsway House was due to close at the end of February, but Mr Kenwright has confirmed it will stay open for the foreseeable future.