The mayor of London’s office has announced a new initiative and funding designed to strengthen efforts to prevent and tackle rough sleeping across the capital.
The new strategy includes a £1 million fund to establish Floating Hubs in up to 17 rough sleeping hotspot areas. These hubs are intended to provide intensive, time-limited intervention, including accommodation and dedicated multi-agency support, for individuals experiencing long-term rough sleeping.
The announcement is part of a broader, strategic approach to improve service effectiveness with the stated goal of ending rough sleeping in London by 2030.
The new investment is expected to support over 350 people who are currently sleeping rough or at imminent risk this winter.
Two new pilot services will be launched to address specific challenges, including assisting individuals leaving asylum accommodation to prevent them from becoming homeless and supporting people who have moved off the streets to secure and maintain long-term housing.
The pilot services are being supported by government funding through the London Ending Homelessness Accelerator Programme, which aims to improve the coordination of services between City Hall and London Councils.
Funding will support Crisis at Christmas for extended hotel provision and fund pan-London Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) accommodation during periods of sub-zero temperatures.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The announcement today is about transforming the support that we give to those forced to sleep rough on our streets, and those at risk of rough sleeping. That’s why, alongside new Floating Hubs, we are launching two new pilot services to help people move into secure long-term housing. These will make sure that more people can get the support they need, when they need it, as we help them off the streets for good.”
Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, welcomed the initiative: “Rough sleeping is a growing and complex crisis in our capital; it requires bold action if we’re to succeed in the mayor’s ambition to support everyone off the streets by 2030. We welcome the additional funding being announced today… The new floating hubs being announced today will help us reach more Londoners. They will, in particular, help us reach people who may have previously fallen through the cracks of support.”
The mayor has also launched the annual winter rough sleeping campaign, urging Londoners to use StreetLink to connect people sleeping rough with local support services.
Sharon Fernando, StreetLink Marketing Officer, said: “We’re delighted to support the Mayor’s latest rough sleeping campaign. By searching ‘StreetLink’ and submitting an alert when they see someone sleeping rough, Londoners can help ensure that trained outreach workers are able to search for individuals quickly and offer meaningful support. Winter is a particularly dangerous time for people on the streets, and the simple act of raising an alert can be a powerful way to connect a rough sleeper with the help they need.”