The amount of people who are chronically homeless is a big issue in London.
Despite a decline in new rough sleeping, the numbers of chronically homeless rough sleepers continues to rise. It is estimated that the percentage of all rough sleepers who have been on the streets for a minimum of two years, has increased from 32% to 40%.[1]
A myriad of complex issues contribute to people who are chronically homeless and these vulnerable people often need a host of support services over a long period.
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Housing Committee will discuss the Housing First model - a program that provides a homeless person with immediate and permanent housing with no preconditions. Following this, support services such as finding a GP, drug and alcohol support, adult learning or employment training are provided for as long as they are needed.
The guests are:
- Mark Taylor, Assistant Director of Services, The Single Homeless Project
- Stuart Nevill, Chief Executive Office, SPEAR
- Hannah Gousy, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Crisis
- David Eastwood, Rough Sleeping Lead Manager, Housing and Land, GLA
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 2 April at 10.00am in Committee Room 5, City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE via webcast 
Follow us on Twitter and take part in the meeting discussion using #AssemblyHousing and #HousingFirst
Notes to editors
- [1] Figures from the CHAIN Annual Report 2017/18
- Read the agenda papers.
- Sian Berry AM, Chair of the Housing Committee, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- Housing Committee.
- 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 Funmi Olutoye on 020 7084 2713. 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.