News from Unmesh Desai: Letter on helping rough sleepers into accommodation during Covid-19

Dear Editor,



We have recently seen City Hall announce that over one thousand rough sleepers needing to self-isolate in the capital have been helped into safe accommodation.



This has come about through the diligent collaborative efforts of the Mayor of London, the Government and local authorities, alongside the generous help of the hospitality sector. We must also recognise the crucial role that homelessness charities such as St. Mungo’s, are playing in this.



There is no doubt a lot more progress can be made on ensuring those still on our streets, who are incredibly vulnerable to the worst impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak, are sufficiently protected.



Homelessness in all its forms is an incredibly complex issue, but with the right political will we can make significant strides to tackle it.



This is why we should sustain the cross-party political co-operation we are seeing now into the future as our society slowly starts to recover from this devastating virus, to make sure no one has to sleep on London’s streets again.



City Hall has previously laid out an Action Plan with the funding that it needs to eradicate rough sleeping in London, and I now urge the Government to work more closely with us to put the wheels in motion on this.



Yours,

Unmesh Desai AM

London Assembly Member for City & East London