Agenda item

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

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of rough sleeper data for Quarter 4 2020/21 and the following point was made:

• The total number of rough sleepers in the City of London in Quarter 4 2020/21 was 102 individuals, which represented a 23% decrease on the previous quarter.  This included a 26% decrease in new rough sleepers, individuals returning to sleep rough in the area and long term Living on the Streets clients.  The number of new rough sleepers refusing to engage in support had reduced since Quarter 3 and ten long term Living on the Streets clients had been supported into positive outcomes during Quarter 4.  A total of 94 accommodation outcomes were recorded on the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) which was an increase on the 72 recorded in the previous Quarter and included accommodation in relation to the 29 Severe Weather Emergency Proposal outcomes during the quarter.  Aggregated CHAIN data for the 2020/21 financial year would be released shortly and was expected to show a significant increase in the number of accommodation outcomes on the previous year.  Two individuals had been supported in reconnecting with a local authority with which they were linked. 

• In considering the update, a Committee Member noted that the decrease in those sleeping rough during Quarter 4 2020/21 in the City of London was in line with the neighbouring London Boroughs of Southwark and Tower Hamlets which had seen decreases of 30% and 26% respectively. This was not the experience of some other London Boroughs which had seen increases during the same period.  The Rough Sleeping Service Manager advised that as the rough sleeping population tended to be transient it was often difficult to map and it was possible that there had been some duplication of individual clients which could not be identified until aggregate CHAIN data was available.  Approaches to tackling rough sleeping and homelessness varied across London and it was often more helpful to view wider trends at a Greater London level.  The Chairman requested that aggregated CHAIN data for the 2020/21 financial year be circulated to Committee Members following the meeting when available.

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.