London boroughs warn of homelessness crisis

London boroughs have warned that the homelessness crisis in the city is spiralling out of control.

The warning comes has new data has suggested that rough sleeping numbers in the capital are at a record high.

According to the latest CHAIN figures, 4,068 people were counted sleeping rough in London between July and September 2023. This is a 12 per cent increase on the same period in 2022 and is London’s highest quarterly rough sleeping count since records began.

According to London Councils, a key factor driving the increase in rough sleeping is the recent increase in the number of people leaving Home Office accommodation (such as hotels) after receiving decisions on their asylum applications.

In a statement, London Councils said: "While it is positive that applicants are receiving decisions, boroughs reiterate the need to ensure adequate housing arrangements are in place and that the Home Office works closely with councils to avoid refugees and asylum-seekers becoming homeless. Closer co-ordination between the Home Office and local authorities is essential for securing appropriate housing, preventing homelessness, and ensuring those granted asylum have the best opportunity to settle in the UK."

An estimated 170,000 homeless Londoners live in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough. This equates to one in 50 residents of the capital, and includes one in every 23 children

London Councils is calling on the government to extend the 28-day ‘move on’ period, during which newly recognised refugees are expected to move out of Home Office accommodation and into new housing arrangements, to a 56-day period and provide improved financial support.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ executive member for regeneration, housing & planning, said: “This spike in rough sleeping numbers is the latest evidence of London’s worsening homelessness crisis.

“After several years of solid progress in reducing rough sleeping, it is devastating to see rough sleeping skyrocket to a record high. Local support services are under immense pressure and the situation is spiralling out of control.

“Tackling rough sleeping requires a range of policy measures, as well as close partnerships between different agencies and long-term funding commitments for the frontline services keeping people off the streets. The government must work with councils and other key partners to address these matters urgently, otherwise this winter looks set to be extremely bleak.”

Image by Paolo Trabattoni from Pixabay