Mayor Sadiq Khan has promised to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2030 by ensuring people who are facing homelessness are ‘helped early’.
Mayor Khan said he will end the requirement for people to be sleeping on the streets before they can access support and will invest £17m to offer ‘sustainable routes away from the streets.’
The extra capital funding will see 500 empty homes refurbished as part of the Homes off the Streets programme and the opening of a new Ending Homelessness Hub.
A new rough sleeping prevention phone line will also be set up and more support workers and volunteers will be available to provide support in day centres and food banks.
Mayor Khan said: ‘During my election campaign, I promised to develop a plan to end rough sleeping for good by 2030. I’m proud to be delivering on that promise.’
An estimated 183,000 Londoners are homeless, and rough sleeping has risen 58% in the last decade.
Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils' deputy chair and executive member for Housing and Regeneration, said: ‘Nobody should have to sleep rough in London. Boroughs are committed to ending rough sleeping in the capital and this action plan is an important step towards achieving that goal.
‘We have a key role to play in supporting people off London’s streets and will be working with the Mayor and the voluntary sector to continue this vital work.’
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