Homelessness in London Simon Cribbens Senior Policy Officer
The London context How London is governed Homelessness in London How London tackles this problem What we have learnt
London overview 7.4 million population 3 million households 29 % of population from black and minority ethnic communities 33 London boroughs (including the Corporation of London)
London s demography London s population is set to grow by 800,000 people in the next 10 years - an increase of over 300,000 households By 2025 it is projected that London will have a total of 5.4 million jobs an increase of 927,000 from 2003 Population & households (m) 10 8 6 4 2 0 London population 1901-2001 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 Population Households UK AHS 5 4 3 2 1 0 Average household size
New build in London 1970-2006 Gross new build in London 40,000 35,000 Local Authorities Housing Associations Private sector 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06
Lottery bodies NLCB, NOF, Heritage Fund, Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley Brent Bromley Camden Croydon Ealing Greenwich Hackney Hammersmith & Fulham Haringey Harrow Havering Hillingdon Hounslow Islington Kensington and Chelsea Kingston Lambeth Lewisham Merton Newham Redbridge Richmond Southwark Sutton Tower Hamlets Wandsworth Westminster Waltham Forest Corporation of London Government of London, 2006 Cabinet Cabinet Office Departments of State Department for Communities and Local Government Dept. of Trade and Industry Dept of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dept. for Education and Skills Dept. of Culture, Media and Sport Home Office Dept. for Work & Pensions Dept. of Health Government Office for London learning and skills council London Tourist Board English Heritage Port of London Authority Civil Aviation Authority Highways Agency (Motorways) Business Link for London Arts Council NHS Executive Sports Council Housing Corporation (London Region) Quangoes Strategic Rail Authority Environment Agency Regional Government London Transport Users Committee London Assembly London Development Agency Five London learning and skills councils Five Strategic Health Authorities London Ambulance Service Transport for London London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority Metropolitan Police Authority Metropolitan Police Service PCTs & other NHS trusts London Councils incorporating: London Housing Unit, London Boroughs Grants, Transport Committee, Greater London Employers Association Local Authorities
London councils political composition Conservative Labour Liberal Democrat No overall control
Who is homeless in London?
Rough sleeping in London Rough sleeping in London 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Statutory homelessness in London In 2004/05 London boroughs accepted a duty to rehouse almost 27,000 households Approximately 14,000 households were found to be homeless but not in priority need. 63,000 homeless households in temporary accommodation - three quarters of which are families with dependent children Average homeless households spend 2½ years in temporary accommodation
Homelessness Supply, demand and temporary accommodation 65,000 60,000 55,000 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 Number of households 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/4 Homeless households in TA Homeless acceptances New social lettings
Other homeless households 15,000 single homeless people living in hostels (40% ready but unable to move into permanent accommodation)
Responses to homelessness in London
Tackling homelessness 1. Rough Sleepers Initiative 2. Bed & Breakfast Target
Success in reducing most severe problems 2000 14000 1500 12000 10000 1000 500 0 2000 1999 1998 2002 2001 2004 2003 2005 Rough sleeping, rest of England Rough sleeping, London 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2005Q3 2005Q2 2005Q1 2004Q4 2004Q3 2004Q2 2004Q1 2003Q4 2003Q3 2003Q2 2003Q1 2002Q4 2002Q3 All use of B&B Families in B&B Families in B&B over 6 wks
Tackling homelessness 3. Homelessness Strategies 4. The prevention agenda
Tackling homelessness 5. Temporary accommodation target 6. Hostels Capital Improvement Programme
Outcomes The number of positive move-ons increase Abandonments & Exclusions reduced Improved physical environment Meaningful activity central to service Clear Pathways to independent living Well trained and motivated staff
Activity space Inreach rooms Design Solutions Non-institutional atmosphere Natural Light & Air Welcoming reception Less vinyl, more carpet
More likely to engage with Resettlement/Detox and more Engagement Activities - Sport, Music, Gardening Embedded Learning - DJ Classes, 5 a side Health & Fitness and Medical Social Enterprise - Café, Car Valet, Painting & Decorating Vocational Training - Construction, Catering Give someone a bed & a reason to get out of it
Good Rotas Effective Night Cover Better Recruitment Development and Training Empowerment and Pride It all rests on the hostel staff. Especially the Manager
Dellow Centre - London (Before)
Dellow Centre - London (After)
Arlington House
Brent Homeless Families Group - London (Before & After)
Tackling homelessness 7. Social enterprise
Thames Reach Bondway projects MIMO and SHiFT "I've leant new skills and I've developed my self-confidence to the stage where I'm off soon to take up an NVQ college course. My plan is to take up painting and decorating full-time. Dalton (a MIMO trainee)
Connection Crew The Connection at St. Martin s
Tackling homelessness 8. What is the Mayor doing?
London Plan London Plan targets 31,000 homes 50% affordable (70/30 social:intermediate) 100% lifetime, 10% wheelchair accessible London Plan delivery 17,318 homes in 1999: 27,000+ in 2004/5 6,263 affordable in 1999: 10,000+ in 2005/6
What have we learnt?