Homeless Charity Calls for Pan-London Strategy to Tackle Rise in Rough Sleeping
One of the longest running independent charities in the homeless sector, The Simon Community, has called for better co-ordination of services for rough sleepers in London after its latest street count found 345 people sleeping rough in the Greater London Boroughs (Note 1). This represents an increase of just over 50% on a count of 226 for the same period last year and runs contrary to the ODPM’s official figures that indicate the incidence of rough sleeping is reducing.
Ian Lock, director of The Simon Community, said, “Once more we are concerned that a major homeless problem is developing on London’s streets. Our figures confirm that most hostels are full and to make matters worse there is nowhere for those already in hostels to move on to. The Government must take action to re-introduce coordination across the boroughs, relax the rules on local connection criteria for accessing services, make more good quality hostel accommodation available, enable those in hostels to access move-on accommodation and develop appropriate facilities for homeless people ineligible for benefits.”
The Simon Community acknowledges there has been progress over recent years and much government money has been invested in the homelessness sector. However, there are a number of factors that are conspiring to undo the progress that has been made and it is The Simon Community’s belief that these will, if not tackled, lead to more people sleeping rough on the streets. These factors are:
Numbers of rough sleeper are increasing
Bed space numbers have remained constant and are likely to decline as shared rooms are phased out as part of the modernisation of hostel accommodation
Homeless Link in its report No Room to Move highlighted the silting up of quick-access hostel beds because of the lack of move-on accommodation a problem now recognised in the London Area Strategy (Note 2)
There is a strong lobby to take street outreach off the streets. The Simon Community’s experience is that the streets are where much of the work with the homeless has to be done if trust and confidence are to be established
Those genuinely seeking work are being denied access to accommodation because they have not qualified for full benefit entitlements
Ian Lock continued, “The Simon Community with its small number of bed spaces can do little to accommodate the increasing numbers on London’s streets. Its streetwork will play a valuable part in establishing and maintaining contact with the homeless and advising them. However, our task is a frustrating one when we know there is nowhere for London’s street homeless to go.” (Note 3) For further information Mark Palframan (Services Manager) on 07749 334803 or Ian Lock (Director) 0771 293 2509
Note 1: The headcount was carried out in one night between the hours of 12 midnight and 4 am on Saturday morning the 29th October, 2005. The count comprised 22 Teams, made up of volunteers, friends and supporters of the homeless. The figures were gathered in the boroughs of Camden, Southwark, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, the City of London and the City of Westminster.
Note 2: No Room to Move by Homeless Link was published in 2004.Available from Homeless Link. ISBN 0 906 951 98 4 or go to www.homelesslink.org.uk
Note 3: Immediately before carrying out the headcount the charity contacted 87 hostels in Central London. Of 4160 Beds, 55 were available. Of these vacant beds 4 were only available to people under the age of 26.
About The Simon Community
The Simon Community has been an independent voice for the homeless for over 40 years. Its method of operation, in which volunteers and service users work together as a community, has been widely copied. It assists those living on the streets by offering a home, a community and a route out of homelessness. It aims to help people whom other organisations have been unable to reach. Simon provides community houses, outreach services, hospitality and ongoing support for ex-homeless people who have made the transition to independent living.
For more information visit: www.simoncommunity.org.uk
Homelessness