Agenda item

Ian Swift, Director of Housing Needs and Strategy updated committee on Council’s Rough Sleeping Data. The following points were noted:

·       In Islington on the 1^{st of} April to the 1^{st of} July 2024 period Islington recorded ninety-four people sleeping rough, this is an increase of nineteen people from the previous quarter and fifty-four people higher than the same period last year in 2023.

·       In Islington it is recorded that there are twenty people living on the streets, this is an increase of two people from the previous quarter and an increase of eight people sleeping on the streets for the same period in 2023.

·       The number of people intermittently sleeping rough in Islington was identified as fifty-one people intermittently sleeping on the streets of Islington, this is an increase of three people from the previous quarter and an increase of twenty-five people for the same period in 2023.

·       Therefore, in total in Islington during the April to June 2024 quarter, 162 people were identified as sleeping rough in Islington, this is an increase of nineteen from the previous quarter and an increase of eighty-five for the same period in 2023.  A contributory factor in the increase in rough sleeping locally is a direct result of departures from Home Office accommodation, following settled status being granted. During April – June 2024, 18 NASS leavers were met rough sleeping in Islington, with some travelling to Islington/London from outside. Whilst the Council have been proactive in establishing an accommodation pathway for this cohort and providing ‘in-reach’ into Home Office hotels in borough, to support transition, the quick turnaround time of notice following status decision, coupled with the local housing allowance for under 35’s, which make up the majority of this group, presents specific challenges.

·       Due to the increasing number of people 'living on the streets', it is even more important that the new homeless prevention and rough sleeping strategy underpins a commitment for cross departmental working to ensure the needs of these people living on our streets are met holistically. This is not simply a housing issue and as such ASC, public health and mental health input are essential to meeting the needs of people experiencing multiple disadvantages, which is also in line with the Councils Fairer Together 2030 commitment and the council’s CARE values.

·       Islington will continue to seek funding opportunities and innovative ways of working through actively taking part in test and learn pilots and securing accommodation and support which are needs led. Islington has recently been successfully chosen to pilot two test and learn projects for personalised budgets and accommodate and reconnect with Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI) to test these interventions impact on rough sleeping.

·       As part of our commitment to put the resident at the centre of all that we do, we will ensure that we continue to listen to the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness through consultation and co-production. Arts International are currently supporting consultation of draft Homelessness Strategy.

·       Eight councils in London recorded higher numbers of people sleeping rough compared to Islington.

·       In response to a question on the count and the 18 new people found sleeping on Islington streets, Director advised that only 2 were identified as long time rough sleepers and were offered accommodation and support.

·       The chair thanked the Director and his team for the enormous work carried to ensure that there is support for vulnerable people.

RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.