Agenda item

Annual Street Count 2019

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services detailing the total number of rough sleepers identified within the City of London’s annual street count figure and providing comparison data relating to previous annual and bi-monthly street counts and overall monthly rough sleeping figures and the following points were noted:

 

·         The annual street count took place on 28-29 November 2019 and identified 41 individuals which was a significant reduction on the previous year when 67 individuals were identified.  In response to a question from a Member, the Rough Sleeping Coordinator confirmed that the decrease in the number of rough sleepers over the past year was partly due to improved engagement with support providers which had helped more individuals to remain in accommodation.  A Member noted the low number of female rough sleepers identified in the street count and requested that Transport for London be approached to provide data on individuals identified as sleeping on public transport which could give a fuller picture of homelessness and rough sleeping.

 

·         A wide range of nationalities were represented within the 2019 street count cohort of whom 39% of rough sleepers were from the UK, 37% were from the EU/EEA, 12% were non-EU and the nationalities of 12% were unknown.  The large proportion of rough sleepers from the EU/EEA was a particular concern as the right of these individuals to receive support and accommodation was likely to change following the Brexit transition period.  Work was underway to secure worker status for rough sleepers with EU/EEA nationalities where possible. 

 

·         A Member highlighted that the majority of rough sleepers identified within the street count had some form of serious support need related to mental health, alcohol use or substance misuse.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Supporting documents: