London Councils has welcomed the publication of the government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy and the accompanying funding announcement.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said:

“Progress is being made on reducing rough sleeping in the capital, and boroughs are determined to play our part in ending it altogether. This strategy and funding boost put our work on a much firmer footing and will make a real difference.

“Tackling rough sleeping requires a range of policy measures, as well as close partnerships between different agencies and long-term funding commitments for the frontline services keeping people off the streets.

“Boroughs hope a similar approach of partnership between central and local government and additional resources for services can be developed for ending other forms of homelessness – especially the huge number of Londoners living in temporary accommodation.”

London faces the most severe homelessness challenges in the country. Homelessness takes many forms, with rough sleeping the most visible. However, an estimated 150,000 homeless Londoners live in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough – including 75,000 children. The capital accounts for around 60% of England’s total number of homeless households in temporary accommodation.