London,
14
October
2021
|
11:01
Europe/London

Fall in number of rough sleepers in Square Mile welcomed by City’s homelessness services

The number of people sleeping rough on the City of London’s streets has dropped by one-third over the last year.

During an update on recent figures, Members of the City of London Corporation’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee were told that 92 people had been found sleeping rough between April and June this year, compared to 140 people in the same period last year, amounting to a 34.3% decrease.

Throughout the pandemic, the City of London Corporation’s homelessness services ran new additional accommodation projects, tenancy support initiatives, and outreach shifts.

This work continues apace, forming part of the City Corporation’s current and future planning, and resulting in an increase in the rate at which rough sleepers are being assisted, as well as encouraged to stay in accommodation for longer periods.

Members of the Sub Committee were also informed that, according to the Greater London Authority’s annual summary, the City Corporation is currently in 13th place in the GLA’s list of London local authority areas for the total number of rough sleepers on its streets, compared to fourth place in 2018/2019.

Due to the success of its new Private Rented Sector project, the City Corporation continues to provide long-term accommodation for as many rough sleepers as possible, with a reported 13% of those helped off the streets in recent months moving into private rented accommodation.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee, Marianne Fredericks, said:

“These rough sleepers are being offered accommodation and supported with compassion and sensitivity towards a more secure and safer future, so this is a very encouraging trend.

“However, we can all agree that 92 people sleeping rough on our streets is 92 people too many, so I look forward to hearing about progress made in reducing the number even further.

“The collective hard work of the committee, officers, and all our service providers is making a tremendous difference, and I want to thank them for their continued commitment to helping our most vulnerable citizens.”

The City Corporation’s new ‘growth programme’ comprises the City Assessment Centre and the High Support Hostel, which will offer suitable accommodation and tailored support, based on rough sleepers’ previous life experiences.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

For media enquiries:

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Public Services), City of London Corporation

T: 07795 333060 / E: andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk 

About the City of London Corporation’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee:

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee monitors and reviews the City Corporation’s efforts to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness, and evaluates the work undertaken with partner organisations to prevent rough sleeping in the Square Mile. The Sub Committee was established in 2018 to review the services provided by the City of London Corporation, and to ensure that they meet the needs of our vulnerable street residents.