'Disgraceful' rise in number of rough sleepers in London

Anti-homeless spikes are used in some parts of London
Dan Kitwood/Getty
Kate Proctor8 September 2016

The growing number of rough sleepers in the capital is an “absolute disgrace”, a London MP has said as he urged politicians to back major homelessness reforms.

Recent figures show 8,096 people slept rough in the capital in 2015/16 — seven per cent up on the year before and double the number in 2010/11.

Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, is putting forward a Private Member’s Bill in the Commons next month that would force councils to provide temporary accommodation within 56 days for anyone eligible for assistance.

The Tory MP said: “It’s an absolute disgrace that at a time we have virtually full employment in the UK we still have people sleeping rough on the streets. If you can’t fix it now, what would we do if we get another recession?”

Currently only single mothers and fathers, those with mental health issues, victims of domestic violence and those who have recently left the armed forces can go to the front of the queue for housing assistance as they are classed as having priority needs.

Under the proposals council officers will have to help everyone find suitable accommodation within 56 days if they are at risk of becoming homeless. If they fail to do so, the council will be required to house people in temporary accommodation for a further 56 days.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of homeless charity Crisis, said Mr Blackman’s Bill would be the most important piece of legislation to support homeless people in Britain since 1977.

He said: “The number of people rough sleeping in London is the highest in the country and for the first time in many years numbers are increasing in all parts of England. The biggest reason someone finds themselves homeless is the end of a private rented tenancy.”

Mr Blackman needs 100 MPs to attend the Bill’s second reading on October 28 to stop it being killed off by filibustering rivals concerned the plan would make it easier for people to fast-track into social housing.

It is understood the Government is looking favourably on the Bill.

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “We strongly welcome Bob Blackman’s Homelessness Reduction Bill as a valuable contribution to this debate.”

However, the Local Government Association has concerns about the increased burden placed on London boroughs. Councillor Martin Tett of the LGA said local authority finances are already stretched and many councils do not have enough accommodation even to house those in priority need.

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