The number of young people who are homeless and sleeping rough on the streets in London is rising. Data shows that rough sleeping in 18-25 year olds increased by 48% this year compared to 2019.
Before COVID-19 many young people may have stayed on a friends’ sofa or in the spare room, but charities say due to COVID-19 restrictions and people being unable to mix inside, this has forced many young people onto the streets.
The London Assembly has today agreed to call on the Mayor of London to dedicate a suitable proportion of Greater London Authority rough sleeping funding to specialist pan-London support for homeless young people, and to report quarterly to the London Assembly’s Housing Committee on progress in dealing with this important issue.
Siân Berry AM, who proposed the original motion said:
“It’s right that the Mayor has responded to the devastating impacts the pandemic has had on housing in our city and the growth in homeless Londoners by securing additional funding.
“What he now needs to do is recognise the disproportionate effect the coronavirus has had on young Londoners.
“The number of young people living on the streets has risen by 47 per cent in the last quarter compared to 2019. They now make 11 per cent of the total number of rough sleepers – an historic high. The Mayor needs make sure his rough sleeping budget reflects this and includes a ring-fenced portion for under-25s facing homelessness.”
Andrew Boff AM, who seconded the original motion, said:
“The Government’s ‘Everyone In’ scheme is ensuring everyone has a roof over their heads during the coronavirus crisis. The Mayor has also received substantial government funding to do this. These unprecedented measures mean London has a once in a generation opportunity to end homelessness and rough sleeping once and for all.
“If we are going to grasp this chance to end homelessness, we need a dedicated ring-fenced budget to help young homeless Londoners. Tragically, the number of young people in the capital living on the streets has soared in the past year. That’s why today, the London Assembly has called on the Mayor to create a sizeable fund to offer specialist support to get young Londoners off the streets.”
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly notes the considerable budget the Government and Mayor have put towards helping people rough sleeping in London, both in the first waves of the coronavirus crisis and as we head into winter. This Assembly also notes that the Mayor’s winter rough sleeping campaign will raise funds specifically for youth homelessness charities this year.
However within this budget there is no specific, ring-fenced support for young people, aged 16 – 25. The number of young people who have ended up on the streets has increased 47 per cent in the last quarter compared to this time last year, and now they make up 11 per cent of our city’s rough sleepers.
Uniquely vulnerable and with distinct needs, we should recognise the benefits of action to not just house these young people in a safe environment away from the streets, but to offer help with budgeting, healthcare, counselling, mentoring and educational opportunities before they become long-term rough sleepers.
This Assembly asks the Mayor to dedicate a suitable proportion of GLA rough sleeping funding to specialist pan-London support for homeless young people, and calls on the Government to provide additional funding to support this. This Assembly also calls on the Mayor to report quarterly to the London Assembly’s Housing Committee on progress in dealing with this important issue.”
Notes to editors:
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Siân Berry AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Louise Young on 07849 308 317. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.