Homelessness

Meeting:

MQT on 2002-10-23

Session date:

October 23, 2002

Reference:

2002/0643

Question By:

Andrew Pelling

Organisation:

GLA Conservatives

Asked Of:

The Mayor

Question

Before the Mayoral election you wrote 'The mayor must set a target to get the homeless off the streets by the end of the first term of the Greater London Authority, working with the boroughs and agencies to set a London-wide agenda.' How close do you feel you will get to that target and what obstacles lie in the way of achieving the target ?'

Answer

Answer for Homelessness

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Monday, 28th October 2002

In my election manifesto, I stated my commitment to support the Government's Rough Sleepers Unit in achieving a two-thirds reduction in the number of rough sleepers by 2002. Although this target was not met in London, good progress has been made. We must recognise that London was always going to be a difficult case. Those who continue to sleep rough have very complex support needs, often with mental health and drug and alcohol problems. The challenge is now to work to help this vulnerable group sustain a life away from the streets.We have successfully worked with the London boroughs, the voluntary sector and the government's Homelessness Directorate in developing our work programme on homelessness, not just on rough sleeping but also on statutory homelessness.I am confident that the reduction in rough sleeping can be maintained. .