London’s latest rise in rough sleeping cases called ‘shameful’ – Irvine Times

A total of 4,780 rough sleepers were spotted on the capital’s streets between July and September, according to the latest statistics from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHN), which it described as a record high.

This is an increase of 18% from 4,068 people in the same quarter last year and 13% more than 4,223 between April and June this year.

Homelessness sector organizations said that while ministers in the new government had “made some really promising commitments” on funding, the latest figures were a “stark reminder that we also need a coherent, long-term plan”.

The budget presented on Wednesday promised that local authorities in England would receive £233m of extra spending in 2025-26 to prevent homelessness, which the Treasury said would bring total spending to £1bn in 2025-26 .

“This will help prevent an increase in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help prevent rough sleeping,” the budget document states.

A day earlier, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a £4.8m investment to support people who were previously sleeping rough, which he said would help them “access financial advice, apply for benefits and use public services , to help them stay off the streets forever.”

Chain figures show new rough sleepers – of which 2,343 – accounted for 49% of all rough sleepers between July and September, while 14% of those registered during that period were classified as living on the streets.

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, the national membership organization for frontline homelessness services, said the figures “tell a story of the devastating number of people whose lives are blighted by rough sleeping, failed by systems and policies that are inadequate for the purpose”.

He added: “This shameful upward trend cannot be allowed to continue. The new Labor government can and must act to end rough sleeping.

“The Budget has promised extra funding for homelessness and rough sleeping in the next financial year, but we urgently need clarity on how this and existing funding will be distributed.”

Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said: “It’s a shame that so many people are forced to sleep rough, seek refuge in doorways and seek safety on night buses.”

He added: “Ministers have made some really promising commitments, including more money for councils and funding for new social and affordable housing, but these latest figures are a stark reminder that we also need a coherent, long-term plan.

“The UK Government must consult as soon as possible on its promised strategy to end all forms of homelessness and demonstrate the political will that can fix this terrible, broken system.”

Meanwhile, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (HCLG) has launched an inquiry into the experiences of children and families in temporary accommodation – a form of homelessness – and considered how temporary housing can be improved.

His first evidentiary hearing will be held on Tuesday.

Figures released in August showed a record high of more than 150,000 children living in temporary accommodation in England at the end of March.

A total of 117,450 households were in this situation at this time, about 74,530 of which were households with children.

Both are record highs, according to figures released by the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).