Developing strong partnerships to address rough sleeping and day-time begging was top of the agenda at a seminar for borough officers, business improvement districts, police, and the voluntary sector organised by London Councils.
In 2017/19, 7,484 people were seen rough sleeping in London, with the number of people seen sleeping rough in London having more than doubled over the past decade.
Boroughs are committed to working in partnership with each other, businesses, and the voluntary sector to address these issues.
The seminar, held on 3 June, offered participants a chance to discuss how they can take a multi-stakeholder approach to homelessness and rough sleeping, and gave them the opportunity to explore joint campaigning and lobbying opportunities.
The seminar was chaired by Jessica Gibbons, Director of Community Services at the London Borough of Camden.
It began with an overview of the current situation in London and the Mayor of London’s rough sleeping strategy. Roundtables were then organised to help participants discuss how business improvement districts address rough sleeping and daytime begging, how the voluntary sector can help make the public more aware of outreach services already being delivered, and the unique challenges to outer London town centres.
The seminar was able to bring together key stakeholders to discuss and plan how they can address rough sleeping and daytime begging more effectively and urgently.
Cllr Peter John OBE, Chair of London Councils, said:
"London's boroughs have a responsibility to help those facing homelessness and sleeping rough. London Councils supports them by sharing information and good practice on topics such as partnership working with the business and voluntary sectors, as well as lobbying the government to recognise the severe pressures London faces.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
- The “Rough sleeping and day-time begging: developing a collaborative approach between businesses and boroughs” seminar was held at London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, SE1 0AL, on 3 June 2019