Matt Downie
8,113 posts
Matt Downie
@matthew_downie
Muswell Hill, London
Joined April 2010
- The Act. Scrapped. A landmark day in the fight against homelessness. This won’t build homes but it is a turning point in how people are treated, and that is a deep and important moment of progress.
- Words can’t express how excited and honoured I am to lead @crisis_uk I will give it everything, and I firmly believe homelessness is solvable. #HomeForAllWe're delighted to announce @matthew_downie as Crisis' new Chief Executive. Matt, our current Director of Policy, says: "It will be a privilege to ensure people facing homelessness are listened to by those in power & offered the best possible services." 👉crisis.org.uk/about-us/media…
- Our sector has immediately come together to tell @SuellaBraverman that her plans are reckless and wrong. We urge a change of approach.NEW🔥: 🚨⛺️🌆🚨 15 top homelessness charity CEOs tell @SuellaBraverman that her plan to ban tents for homeless cost lives and will lead to "totally preventable" street deaths, urge her to reconsider -- via @FT with @LOS_Fisher -- letter via @crisis_uk ft.com/content/65ff8f…
- Question for @RestIsPolitics @RoryStewartUK @campbellclaret My daughter is doing A Level politics. At parents evening I ask what else she should be reading. The teacher responds ‘…she should just listen to The Rest is Politics’. Can you provide better advice?
- I’ve written to the CEO of @McDonaldsUK about the incident outside one of their restaurants over the weekend. We want to work with high street businesses to help ensure better support for those sleeping rough. Let’s make this a moment that prompts lasting change.
- The vote was carried by 43 votes, with govt defeated, sending a clear message back to the Commons that homelessness must no longer be a crime. Thank you to Peers of All parties and none.This evening, or more likely the early hours of tomorrow morning, there will be a valiant attempt in the House of Lords to repeal to Vagrancy Act, after 198 years of criminalising homelessness. Thank you to all the astonishingly dedicated Peers who back this, whatever the result
- There was a very special guest working in the Finsbury Park @crisis_uk shop today… Chris Martin is a treasured, long-standing volunteer and supporter. One of the nicest people you could hope to meet.
- I'd like my daughter to look up to the abilities of these women, not this nonsense. pic.x.com/ssUkoPFWWA
- I’m very honoured and not a little overwhelmed to receive an MBE. The truth of it of course is that I’m one part of a wonderful @crisis_uk team that works with passion and determination to #EndHomelessnesssWe are incredibly proud to announce that our Director of Policy and External Affairs @matthew_downie has been awarded an MBE for his services to tackling homelessness. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
- From Dec 2020 the UK govt will deport people if they have slept rough. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
- Busy day for many colleagues in the sector today. Really pleased to work with @centrepointuk @Shelter @PassageCharity and many others to spread a positive message about ending homelessness.
- We are told The Govt is proposing to replace The Vagrancy Act of 1824, with laws banning the use of tents. Please don’t do this. People will die in extreme weather. Instead we can work on solutions? There are plenty.🚨NEW. Suella Braverman pushes to restrict tents for rough sleepers, and proposes making it a civil office for charities to give tents to homeless via @FT with @LOS_Fisher on.ft.com/3QpJf0p
- We are proud to have launched an emergency grants fund for local homelessness charities. Awards of up to £50k are available to help cope with the COVID19 emergency. @Chanco81 explains all here.
