The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced £300,000 in funding to provide accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in the capital through early 2024. The funding, part of the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) allocation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), supports Mr. Khan’s campaign to end rough sleeping in London by 2030.
Homelessness Crisis Worsens
Recent figures reveal a significant rise in homelessness across London. Between July and September, the number of people sleeping rough for the first time increased by 12%. Over the past year, 20,000 more children have been placed in temporary accommodation, further highlighting the deepening housing crisis in the capital.
Mayor Khan attributed the homelessness surge to years of cuts to public services and a chronic housing shortage:
“Decades of cuts to public services and the chronic housing shortage brought on by the previous government have led to a shocking rise in rough sleeping and homelessness.”
Crisis and St Mungo’s Benefit from Funding
The £300,000 investment will allow homelessness charity Crisis to extend its temporary accommodation scheme until the end of January, providing shelter for 570 people. Crisis’s annual Christmas campaign uses hotels across London to house rough sleepers while offering tailored support services to help them rebuild their lives.
Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, described the initiative as a dignified and proven approach:
“This year, we’ve seen unprecedented demand for our services. Providing our guests with additional time to access tailored support through our hotel provision is a dignified and proven approach that we know changes lives.”
St Mungo’s, another leading homelessness charity, will use the funding to deliver specialized casework and additional assessments to those in need. James Lally, services director at St Mungo’s, emphasized the importance of secure housing:
“Safe, warm, and decent accommodation is the foundation on which we all build, and rebuild, our lives.”
Nationwide Funding to Combat Homelessness
Last week, the government announced nearly £1 billion in funding to address homelessness across England in 2024. Over £600 million of this will be allocated to the Homelessness Prevention Grant, providing councils with critical resources to tackle homelessness at its roots.
Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary, called the announcement a “turning point” in efforts to end homelessness. Adam Hug, housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, welcomed the funding as a much-needed relief for local councils.
As London continues to battle the housing crisis, the additional funding offers temporary relief for those experiencing homelessness, but long-term solutions remain a critical priority.
