- A new report out today estimates
there are thirteen times more hidden homeless people in London
than those sleeping rough - as many as 12,500 each night.
- 225,000[1] young people in London have stayed in an unsafe
place because they had nowhere safe to call home.
- The hidden homeless have no place to call home, but are
hidden from official statistics, and aren’t receiving support.
- They may experience sofa surfing, sleeping rough, squatting
or sleeping on public transport. This can be dangerous, and leave
people at risk of assault or abuse.
- Young people are especially likely to be affected,
particularly those who identify as LGBT, as well as those who
have experienced domestic violence and abuse.
- Hidden homeless people are often ineligible for homelessness
support, and only one in five aged 16-24 seek help from the
council. Those that do present often fail to be recognised as
vulnerable, despite being in danger.
The London Assembly Housing Committee publishes its report
‘Hidden homelessness in London‘ today, which makes a number of
recommendations to the Mayor and the Government:
- The Government should ensure that legislation guarantees
victims of abuse the right to remain in their homes, if they
wish, rather than the perpetrator
- The Government should provide sufficient financial support to
London local authorities to ensure the successful implementation
of the Homelessness Reduction Act.
- The Mayor should push local authorities to automatically
record the protected characteristics of those presenting at
housing options services, so we can learn more about London’s
homeless population.
AM, Chair of the London
Assembly Housing Committee said:
“People sleeping on the streets of our city are just the tip of
an iceberg. The London Assembly Housing Committee investigation
found a much wider problem of hidden homeless people in London
who have no permanent home and live precariously.
In fact, 13 times more Londoners are hidden and homeless than are
visibly sleeping rough.
Young people, asylum seekers and people escaping domestic
violence can find it hard to get help due to gaps in current
policies, and many don’t even try to seek help. So-called sofa
surfing is common and people can end up staying with virtual
strangers where they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
With the Homelessness Reduction Act coming soon, the Housing
Committee wants to see more action on this problem. We need the
Mayor and the Government to rally behind local authorities with
support to reach every Londoner who needs help.”
Terrie Alafat, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of
Housing, said:
“Homelessness has risen steadily since 2010 according to official
statistics and we know that the problem is acute in London. But
as this report highlights there are many more people affected by
homelessness that we don’t know about.
To have so many people homeless in 2017 is quite simply a
national disgrace and something we must act on now. History tells
us that we can significantly reduce homelessness, but it will
take a cross-departmental commitment from government and a
strategic approach to tackle all of its causes.
It is also very clear that local authorities across the capital,
and the country, will need support to deliver the new duties
imposed upon them by the Homelessness Reduction Act.”
Notes for Editors:
- Centrepoint September 2016 polling
-
Read the
report
-
Hear Corey’s story
of resilience
- Listen to the LGBT community ‘s plea
-
Watch what a PHD student
has to go through in London
