Agenda item

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services. The report presented data, analysis and a brief narrative related to rough sleeping in the City of London (CoL) based on the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) Annual Summary for 2020/21, with reference to previous annual CoL data, and neighbouring borough comparisons.

In response to a query from a Member, the Sub Committee was informed that there had been a further decrease in rough sleeping in the first quarter of 2022.

In response to another question, the Sub Committee was informed that the long-term impact of the cost of living crisis on rough sleeping was still emerging, but that the City Corporation’s statutory service - where the work on preventing rough sleeping takes place - had been experiencing an increase in utilisation. It was suggested that this information provides a useful forecast for the next 24 months. Members’ attention was drawn to the latest government strategy on rough sleeping, which introduced a new framework for the prevention of rough sleeping that is likely to feature in the City Corporation’s future homelessness and rough sleeping strategy.

A Member noted that those presenting as homeless or rough sleepers within the City of London may not have originated from within the City. The Member queried how a prevention strategy would target those individuals. It was noted that the City Corporation has a responsibility to those employed within the City and that work in preventing homelessness, such as by providing advice and guidance, is ongoing on a daily basis. It was also noted that partnering with local boroughs was invaluable in assisting those homeless and rough sleepers who cross boroughs.

In response to a question from a Member, the Sub Committee was informed that there are numerous work streams underway across the Greater London boroughs focusing on the long term homeless.

Members requested that future Rough Sleeping Annual Performance Reports include case studies in the appendices to demonstrate outcomes.

The Sub Committee was informed that the City Corporation is involved in a pan-London group consisting of local authorities from the Greater London Authority (GLA), health agencies and large voluntary organisations in the sector and that the group collaborates to inform regional and national homelessness strategies and to collectively bid for funding. The Sub Committee discussed inviting the GLA and/or Homeless Link to present at future meetings.

The Sub Committee agreed with the suggestion that local ward officers assist with the street count this year.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.