Mayor Sadiq Khan convenes emergency rough sleeping summit, as he warns rough sleeping in the capital will get worse before it gets better…reports Asian Lite News
In a decisive move to address the rising crisis of rough sleeping in London, Mayor Sadiq Khan convened an emergency summit to chart a new course for tackling homelessness. Held in collaboration with the newly appointed Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali, alongside NHS leaders, local councils, housing associations, and charitable organizations, this roundtable signals an urgent response to London’s mounting rough sleeping crisis. In his call for evidence-based solutions and increased funding, Khan emphasized the gravity of the situation, cautioning that “it will get worse before it gets better” but underscoring his belief that an end to rough sleeping is achievable by 2030.
London has seen a significant uptick in homelessness in recent years. City Hall’s most recent figures show a 20% increase in new rough sleepers over the past year alone, with escalating numbers reflective of both the capital’s unique challenges and broader national trends. For decades, budget cuts in essential services and a slow-down in housebuilding have left London and other urban areas grappling with the compounding effects of homelessness.
The Mayor’s summit gathered key stakeholders to discuss the factors driving the increase in rough sleeping, including the cost-of-living crisis, a critical shortage of affordable housing, and deep cuts to health and welfare services. Mayor Khan remarked that these issues have resulted in a “growing emergency” on London’s streets, one that demands immediate, coordinated action. “The situation we’re facing now is not just the result of poor choices by individuals,” he stated, “but by policies that have left our safety nets weakened and people falling through the cracks.”
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The summit formally launched a call for evidence that will help shape City Hall’s forthcoming rough sleeping strategy, slated for release next year. This plan will outline a roadmap to achieve Khan’s ambitious 2030 goal, identifying areas where resources are most urgently needed and defining the mechanisms to achieve measurable outcomes. City Hall is also exploring the feasibility of setting a fixed budget to support homeless services across boroughs, ensuring funding levels are predictable and can be adjusted to meet increasing needs.
Khan’s comprehensive approach, coined the “Homes off the Streets” initiative, builds on London’s housing-first philosophy, which has seen success in helping thousands find stability. Unlike temporary shelter-based models, a housing-first approach aims to place individuals directly into secure, long-term homes, providing a stable foundation from which they can rebuild their lives. The £4.8 million investment from City Hall under this initiative aims to support over 3,500 former rough sleepers in their recovery, helping them maintain stable housing and access essential services like mental health support, financial advice, and employment resources.
Minister for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, Rushanara Ali, praised the summit as an opportunity to bring together experts, policymakers, and people with lived experience to inform the government’s longer-term strategy to end rough sleeping. Ali emphasized that collaboration across all levels of government and society will be key to making sustainable progress. “To end homelessness for good, we must tackle its root causes, not just its symptoms,” she said. “This summit is crucial because it brings all stakeholders together, allowing us to hear from those with first-hand experience of homelessness to help us develop more effective strategies.”
Ali’s comments were echoed by others at the summit, including representatives from London Councils and housing associations like L&Q Living, who underscored the importance of combining policy solutions with community partnerships. London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, Cllr Grace Williams, noted that London boroughs play a pivotal role in tackling homelessness. “Our councils are on the front lines, working daily to keep people off the streets,” she said. “We are proud to be working alongside the Mayor, the voluntary sector, and other partners to address this crisis. Together, we can make faster progress towards ending rough sleeping for good.”
The “Homes off the Streets” scheme is the latest extension of City Hall’s longstanding “Clearing House” initiative, which connects rough sleepers with vacant properties across London. The program, now reinforced with the latest funding boost, provides former rough sleepers with stable accommodation and access to community-based services. City Hall’s collaboration with social landlords and local councils has been instrumental in expanding this program, which has housed thousands of individuals since its inception.
One major focus of the program is helping former rough sleepers navigate the complex system of benefits and public services, often a daunting task for individuals without permanent addresses or support networks. The new £4.8 million funding allocation will be used to provide wraparound services, ensuring people are connected with financial advisors, mental health counselors, and workforce development programs. “The goal,” Khan said, “is to prevent people from falling back into homelessness. We know that housing is only one part of the solution – people need consistent support to sustain a life off the streets.”
A key element of the summit involved hearing from individuals with personal experiences of rough sleeping. Among them was filmmaker Lorna Tucker-McGarvey, who spent 18 months on the streets of London as a teenager. Reflecting on her time without a home, Tucker-McGarvey remarked that having supportive programs and stable housing options could have changed her life sooner. “I strongly believe that we can end rough sleeping with the right support,” she said, expressing hope that her story, along with others like hers, would inspire real change.
The perspectives of those who have experienced homelessness bring an invaluable insight to policymakers, allowing them to design programs that genuinely address the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Tucker-McGarvey and others present at the summit highlighted the importance of giving individuals in need a sense of dignity and agency.
One of the most critical steps toward eradicating rough sleeping in London has been the allocation of City Hall’s record £36.3 million budget toward homeless services for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a significant increase from the £8.45 million per year allocated when Khan first took office. This investment has led to tangible results, with City Hall reporting that more than 17,600 people have been helped off London’s streets since 2016, with approximately 75% staying off the streets permanently.
For Khan, however, achieving his long-term vision will require more than increased funding from City Hall; it will necessitate a whole-of-government response. He is advocating for a combined effort from sectors as diverse as healthcare, housing, social services, and public safety. “Ending rough sleeping in London will require every sector to step up and play their part,” he said. “We need the right strategy, strong leadership, and, most importantly, the necessary resources to make this vision a reality.”
As the capital faces a worsening rough sleeping crisis, Mayor Khan’s summit sends a clear message: that London cannot and will not turn its back on those most in need. He urged Londoners to see the efforts to end rough sleeping as part of a broader vision for a “fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.” By addressing both the immediate needs of rough sleepers and the systemic causes of homelessness, Khan’s administration aims to build a model that could set a precedent for cities across the UK and beyond.
While the challenge remains formidable, the summit marks a critical step in the fight to end rough sleeping in London. As Khan and his administration work to roll out their comprehensive plan in 2024, the collaboration between City Hall, local councils, charities, and housing associations signals hope for a lasting solution that brings the city closer to a future free of rough sleeping
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