Alarming surge in the number of rough sleepers in London

Alarming surge in the number of rough sleepers in London

0:01 AM, 5th February 2024, About 3 months ago 11

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Rough sleeping in the capital is now the highest level in a decade, according to new figures.

According to the new combined homelessness and information network (CHAIN) 4,389 people were counted sleeping on London’s streets ­– more than half were sleeping rough for the first time.

The Mayor of London has said the figures should be a “wake-up call for the government”.

Turning a blind eye

Mr Khan claims, more than 16,000 rough sleepers have been helped off of the streets since he was elected Mayor in 2016, with more than 75% staying off the streets for good.

He is urging the government to provide an emergency £20m funding boost and an end to short notice Home Office evictions.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “These new figures are very worrying, and a should be a wake-up call for the government. Despite the huge amount of work being done in London, we can’t do this alone and the truth is Ministers are turning a blind eye to the scale of this national crisis.

“In December I asked the government to play its part and deliver an emergency winter package of support, including pausing Home Office evictions to help prevent those most at risk sleeping in the cold this winter – something they have failed to do.”

He adds: “The government’s continued hostile approach to refugees has meant that hundreds of people are becoming homeless or sleeping rough on our streets.”

“As Mayor, I’m determined to do everything I can to work with boroughs and the voluntary sector to tackle rough sleeping in the capital and I urge government ministers to back our efforts to end this shameful situation for good.”

Tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

According to CHAIN’s figures, the London boroughs with the most rough sleepers were Westminster, Camden and Ealing.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson told the Guardian: “We have given London boroughs over £191m through the rough sleeping initiative programme to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.”


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Comments

TheMaluka

12:45 PM, 5th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Wow, who would have thought that the war on landlords would have ended in tears for the tenants.

GlanACC

13:27 PM, 5th February 2024, About 3 months ago

who would want a previous rough sleeper in one of your properties, would almost certainly be on benefits and / or have mental health issues. Landlords are not social services.

Reluctant Landlord

17:19 PM, 5th February 2024, About 3 months ago

not alarming at all. Completely expected and it will only increase.
There has to be an understanding that there are some people who will never be suited to holding a tenancy themselves. They just can't and that is where the government and social services have to step in as the 'supplier of last resort'.

Jonathan Clarke

11:13 AM, 7th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 05/02/2024 - 13:27
I take the disaffected / vulnerable on LHA especially if they come with their own support worker . They do all the admin and house checks on my behalf and behalf of the tenant. They often have an additional social care budget for house cleans, minor repairs and new white goods etc . Its not everyone's cup of tea I know. But if the LHA rate also exceeds the private rent by £200 pcm as it does on some properties then it can be a win win for all.

GlanACC

13:30 PM, 7th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jonathan Clarke at 07/02/2024 - 11:13
Note necessarily good for the neighbours or community though

Jonathan Clarke

13:58 PM, 7th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 07/02/2024 - 13:30
It depends, as with any tenant dynamic - Private or LHA . Its the initial interview which is important. Some tenants enhance a community and fit in well and some disrupt. Tenant selection is key - But no process is foolproof of course . Anyone is 24hrs away from losing their job and going on benefits or 24hrs away from having mental health issues

Yvonne Francis

11:53 AM, 10th February 2024, About 3 months ago

'You Reap What You Sow'.

Amongst other things the government even dictates to us the size of a room we allow tenants to sleep in! No wonder they have rough sleepers.

Stella

12:59 PM, 10th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Yvonne Francis at 10/02/2024 - 11:53
This is what happened in Ireland when government policy meant that tenants could no longer rent rooms that they had lived in years at a low rent.
lots of vunerable people became homeless and ended up on the streets.
History repeating itself!

Jonathan Clarke

19:28 PM, 10th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Yvonne Francis at 10/02/2024 - 11:53
Exactly right. I got criticised by my council when i took a single mum and her 2 year old and placed them in one of my studio flats and claimed the 2 bed LHA rate. They said i was cramming her in and taking the advantage of the system. I said the system exists and yes i utilise it. But hang on I said . the mum was staying in her friends already overcrowded house in the only private space available which was the conservatory and it was in winter. So I took her from an 8 ft x 10ft space with no heating and with only shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and put her in a warm self contained 15 ft x 11 ft living space with communal heating for free with her own separate bathroom and kitchen facilities .
Please get a sense of perspective I thought

Reluctant Landlord

14:36 PM, 12th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jonathan Clarke at 10/02/2024 - 19:28
Interesting. Next time my 3 bed comes up (with completely separate 2nd reception room, the first reception room being the lounge and that being completely separate from the kitchen) I may well put it down as a 4 bed and get the LHA rate! If it can be classes as a 4 bed because it is a 'habitable room' then I don't see why not. Not overcrowded.

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