Agenda item

Rough Sleepers Performance Report - Quarter 3

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 providing an update on the level and nature of homelessness and rough sleeping activity within the City of London for Quarter 3 2019/20 and the following points were noted:

 

·         A total of 145 rough sleepers had been measured in the City of London in Quarter 3 2019/20 which was a significant decrease on 181 in Quarter 2 2019/20.  The proportion of new rough sleepers in the City of London was below the London average with 40% of new rough sleepers identified as not spending a second night out or being seen rough sleeping again in the period; however, the proportion of those living on the street longer term as well as intermittent returners remained high and a total of 11 people had been identified as the most entrenched and difficult-to-engage rough sleepers.  The Chairman underlined the importance of identifying whether neighbouring boroughs were experiencing a similar decrease in the total number of rough sleepers. 

 

·         In response to a question from a Member, the Rough Sleeping Co-ordinator confirmed that some types of accommodation stays, such as detox/rehabilitation services and supported reconnection were difficult to achieve for individuals which was why no stays had been recorded in these types of accommodation.  Parkguard Ltd was accredited by the Community Safety Scheme and did not issue Community Protection Notices to individuals identified as undertaking begging activity.  Parkguard Ltd would be requested to remove the reference to sleep within an outcome category within its patrol summary reports which stated, “Requested/directed to leave from known sleep/begging site”.

 

·         Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s figures relating to homelessness and rough sleeping activity were currently embargoed and would be circulated to Committee Members when available. 

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Supporting documents: