New measures to help rough sleepers in London

People rough sleeping in London will soon be able to access new "floating hubs" to help them find accommodation, the mayor's office has said.

Sir Sadiq Khan announced £1m in funding for the project, to be set up in 17 areas around the capital, as part of his strategy to eliminate rough sleeping by 2030.

The budget for this has increased fivefold - from just under £9m a year in 2016 to nearly £45m a year now.

Floating hubs are to provide local, intensive intervention to a targeted group of people experiencing longer-term rough sleeping.

Donnie Brown, a client of homeless charity St Mungo's, said he had been homeless for years and had previously struggled to find support.

He said he was "suffering without a safe home, being beaten on the streets and reliant on rogue landlords who ended up taking my deposit and belongings.

"It was when I met St Mungo's that I received the support I needed. I have now accessed both my private and state pension, received legal support in resolving the issues relating to my previous home and am waiting to move into my next property."

Pilot schemes will run to prevent rough sleeping and secure housing for those with additional needs, including those who have been newly granted refugee status.

Organisers said the project would "help to address the steep rise in people being homeless when leaving asylum accommodation and ensuring those who are accommodated off the streets do not return to rough sleeping".

Alongside this, Crisis at Christmas - provision for people who need support over the festive period - will run, and a severe weather emergency protocol is to be brought in when temperatures drop below zero.

Sir Sadiq said: "Every Londoner deserves a safe and secure home.

"The capital is acutely feeling the long-term consequences of a national housing crisis and local authorities have had their budgets slashed by the previous government, forcing them away from preventing homelessness and into crisis management mode."

The hubs will be run with St Mungo's, which has welcomed the "bold action".

Chief executive Emma Haddad said: "Rough sleeping is a growing and complex crisis in our capital.

"The new floating hubs being announced today will help us reach more Londoners. They will, in particular, help us reach people who may have previously fallen through the cracks of support, including women and others who have been rough sleeping, often hidden, for longer periods."

• Floating Hubs - An accommodation and support service to improve routes off the streets for people experiencing longer-term rough sleeping and those with greater support needs

• Crisis at Christmas extension hotel - Supports people experiencing rough sleeping so they have a safe and welcoming place to stay over the Christmas period and supports charity St Mungo's to provide specialist casework to help ensure longer-term rough sleepers do not return to rough sleeping

• Asylum Move On Pilot - Prevention support for single people at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping who are leaving asylum accommodation. It will establish evidence of what is working across London to prevent rough sleeping for this group, offering early advice, information and support within asylum hotels and work to strengthen coordination across local housing and support pathways. This is being funded by the government

• Hostels Move On Pilot - This service will pilot additional capacity within supported accommodation for residents to move on more quickly and sustainably, in turn freeing up more space in supported accommodation for people sleeping rough. This is being funded by the government

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