Unraveling crisis in London: 1 in 50 residents are homeless amidst the unfolding housing catastrophe
In the heart of England, London is grappling with a growing homelessness crisis. According to London Councils, the city's boroughs are collectively spending an estimated £60 million each month on temporary accommodation costs.
This staggering figure is a reflection of the alarming number of homeless Londoners. London Councils estimates that there are now 169,393 homeless Londoners living in temporary accommodation, including 83,473 children. These figures account for more than half of the overall number of households in England living in temporary accommodation.
One in 50 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, a statistic that underscores the severity of the issue. The number of families living in bed and breakfast accommodation beyond the legal six-week limit has seen a dramatic 781% increase, with an additional 1,141 London families stuck in unsuitable B&B accommodation in April 2023 compared to the same month last year.
The Combined Homelessness and Housing Information Network (CHAIN) discovered 3,272 people slept rough on the streets of London between April and June this year. These disheartening numbers have prompted London Councils to call for immediate action from the government.
The net deficit across London boroughs' homelessness services is on course to reach £244m in 2023-24, an increase of 37% on the estimated deficit in 2022-23. This financial strain is further exacerbated by the reduction in the number of London properties available for private rent, which has decreased by 41% since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an effort to combat this crisis, London Councils have proposed several measures. They urge the government to raise Local Housing Allowance (LHA), support councils to buy accommodation sold by private landlords, boost Homelessness Prevention Grant funding, increase Discretionary Housing Payments, and bring forward a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils' executive member for regeneration, housing and planning, expressed concern about the increasing numbers of families stuck in B&Bs. He called for the government to take immediate action to address the homelessness crisis in London.
In addition to the efforts of local authorities, organisations like Leben im Abseits e.V. are working on housing and support measures based on the "Housing First" approach, offering direct access to permanent housing combined with social support. The aim is to reduce rough sleeping and homelessness in the city.
However, the crisis is increasingly unmanageable, and London Councils have warned of the enormous financial pressures facing local homelessness services. They have called for emergency action from the government to help low-income households meet their housing costs and to address the homelessness crisis in London.
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