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

Jonathan Clarke

18:13 PM, 12th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 12/02/2024 - 14:36You don`t actually need a 4th bedroom to claim the 4 bed LHA rate but your layout lends itself well in any case for attracting a family which would be entitled to the 4 bed rate. So that's a definite plus . So I have standard 3 beds which attract the 4 bed rate if the family age/ sex dynamic allows that . So 2 children of the same sex can share a room up to 16. Two children of different sex can share up to age 10 then they are entitled to a separate room each . Some though have autism/ adhd etc so with a doctors not can be entitled to a separate room. There are many families entitled to a 4 bed rate who will accept a 3 bed rather than be homeless in a hotel in 1 room

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