New figures today from the Combined
Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) – the most
comprehensive data available about the number of people rough
sleeping in London – reveals that from January to March 2021,
3,002 people slept rough across
London, this
was down 9% on the previous quarter, while
1,567 slept rough for
the first time during this
period.
The figures also show:
-
33% of people rough sleeping had two
or more support needs
-
1,587 people were placed
in emergency
accommodation,
this is up 72% from the last quarter. This reflects the
work of local authorities and
the Greater London Authority to continue to accommodate people sleeping rough during
the pandemic.
Jon Sparkes, Crisis Chief Executive,
said: “It’s deeply concerning
that we entered the new year and a third national lockdown with
over 3,000
people sleeping on our streets
and 316
people forced to live this way
day-after-day. Rough sleeping at any time is unacceptable, but we
must remember this was when coronavirus cases were rapidly
accelerating, and temperatures were freezing meaning this
situation was all the more dangerous and deadly.
“While fewer people
were sleeping rough
during this time
due to councils going
to great lengths to get everyone
in, people did
continue to fall through the cracks,
largely because of their immigration status. The same issue
persists today so we must stress that while the threat of the
virus remains among us, we urge councils to continue to provide
everyone with a safe place to stay in line with the recent High
Court judgement.
“But ultimately a hotel room is not a
safe and secure home. We
urgently need the Westminster
government to set out a clear plan to end rough sleeping and
homelessness by providing
genuinely affordable housing. This must also
include a new approach to how we treat
people with interlocking problems such as mental health, trauma
and drug and alcohol dependencies, which can only be achieved by
making Housing First available to everyone who needs it.
As we move out of the pandemic,
a truly impactful and lasting
recovery must have ending homelessness at its heart.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editor
https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports
