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 sleeping data for Quarter 1 2021/22 and the following points were made:

·         The total number of rough sleepers in the City of London in Quarter 1 2021/22 was 92 individuals, which represented a 9.8% decrease on the previous quarter and a 34.3% decrease on the same period in 2020/21.  Of these rough sleepers, 21 were identified as new, which was a reduction of 27.6% on the previous quarter, and 37 were long-term rough sleepers (Living on the Street) which represented a slight increase.  There had been 48 accommodation outcomes during Q1 2021/22 which was a decrease of the 98 recorded in the previous quarter and was largely due to a reduction in SWEP accommodation events and COVID-19 emergency accommodation; however, long-term accommodation moves made up an increasing proportion of accommodation events with more rough sleepers gaining access to long-term and sustainable accommodation.  Two individuals had been supported in reconnecting with a local authority with which they were linked during Quarter 1. 

·         In considering the update,  the Chairman was pleased to note that three known long-term (Living on the Street) rough sleepers had been supported into accommodation which represented a 9.1% reduction.  This positive outcome was as a result of the persistent and creative work carried out by the City Outreach team in conjunction with other commissioned homeless services and showed the benefit of taking a flexible approach to tackling homelessness.  In response to a question from a Committee Member, the Head of Homelessness, Prevention and Rough Sleeping advised that the Homelessness Service had discussions with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities around the need for ongoing funding to maintain the progress made in addressing rough sleeping in the City of London.  Another Committee Member further observed that the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping was likely to increase following the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Universal Credit boost, as well as anticipated increases in utility bills that may result in financial hardship.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.