The number of people sleeping rough in Brent has increased by 37%, new Greater London Authority (GLA) analysis shows. Local London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani AM, has warned of “real hardship” spreading across the capital as the cost of living crisis continues to push people into homelessness. Mr Hirani is urging the government to “act now” to tackle increases in rents, food prices and energy bills before more Londoners are forced to spend winter on the streets.
The latest Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) report, published by the GLA, found that between July and September 123 people were sleeping rough in Brent, a 37% increase compared to the same period last year.
There was a total of 3,628 rough sleepers across all London boroughs during the July-September period, the CHAIN figures show. This is a 24% increase on the total figure for July-September 2021.The number of ‘new rough sleepers’, who were seen for the first time during the period, went up 35% to 1,844, compared to last year.
London’s services are working at capacity, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has revealed. The Mayor committed £36.6 million from this year’s budget to tackling homelessness. Around 13,500 people have been supported by City Hall rough sleeping services since 2016. During the pandemic more than 10,000 people were helped off the streets and into hotels by City Hall and London boroughs.
Households could face further financial challenges in the coming months from higher energy bills and borrowing costs. Inflation has risen to above 10%, mortgages rates have passed 6% for the first time. and the cost of renting has also risen. Analysis from Hometrack shows that annual London rental inflation had risen to almost 18% by July.
Between April 2019 and March 2022, almost 8,000 London households have been threatened with homelessness due to a Section 21, or no fault, eviction notice. Section 21 evictions enable private landlords to eject tenants without having to provide a reason, with as little as 8 weeks’ notice. Government data shows the number of Section 21 evictions that led to Londoners needing urgent housing support from their council, rose by 81% during the last financial year. The government committed to end no fault evictions in their 2019 manifesto, but the ban still hasn't materialised.
Mr Hirani praised the work of councils, charities and community outreach teams and is calling on the Government to work with City Hall to get rough sleepers off the streets for good.
Local London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani AM, said:
“The chaos caused to inflation and mortgages by the cost of living crisis means Londoners are facing real hardship this winter.
“London has some of the most deprived areas in the country, but we are being let down and left behind by economic mistakes made by those in positions of power.
“The threat of homelessness is hanging over too many people’s heads. The government must act now and freeze private sector rents and end Section 21 evictions.
“Ministers must properly fund services that support people sleeping rough and work with City Hall to provide long-term accommodation options, without delay.”
