Rough sleeping in London

‘ending’ feels finite and unachievable, a promise made to inevitably be broken. However, I am pleased to hear action is being taken to address rough sleeping as a priority given how prevalent it has become. 

"and one-off experience"

I wonder if this is "wholly" realistic in that there will be many who will return tohe streets due to a more nomadic lifestyle & mental health issues.

I wonder if it would not be more accurate/realistic to say "the opportunity to never be homeless again"

I like this understanding of the term. I would like to see something acknowledging that though for a tiny minority it is a choice, for many it is not. In our

Increasingly challenging society people must be helped to understand how easily homelessness can happen and how challenging it can be to secure safe and affordable housing. 

I think the actual definition is fine, but to echo other comments, calling it "ending rough sleeping" is a bit misleading and makes it sound like unrealistic goals are being aimed for.

If I were coming up with an alternative definition, I would perhaps focus more on practical goals, e.g.:

• Anyone who finds themselves with nowhere to stay for the night should either already know where to turn for help, or have easy access to information on where to turn. This means more than just online information and announcements telling the public to "donate to charity projects" - it means things like "What To Do If You Are At Risk Of Homelessness" posters.
• There should be city workers proactively reaching out to rough sleepers and potential rough sleepers, rather than a reliance on the public to report exact locations etc.

Let's get real. No one is going to solve homelessness in 5 years as no London Mayor since Ken Livingstone has yet done so. Unless the Police are given powers to forcibly get people of the streets (fascism) and then people are forcibly treated for their addictions,  mental health and poverty issues (more fascism), their problems will persist. How many millions will that take in a cash strapped country?

We need to stop landlords and oligarchs from buying up properties and leaving them empty to accrue value. Housing is a human right not an asset to be hoarded. There needs to be caps on the amount of rent that can be charges and more support for first time buyers.

Seriously, how can my landlord get away with charging so much money per month?

London Is great place for all type of workers, but rent an appartament or stay in an hotel Is too expensive for people came from other coutries 

We need to stop landlords and oligarchs from buying up properties and leaving them empty to accrue value. Housing is a human right not an asset to be hoarded. There needs to be caps on the amount of rent that can be charges and more support for first time buyers. 

The proposed definition of ending rough sleeping in London emphasizes both prevention and the minimization of the experience, which is a solid foundation for addressing homelessness. Here are my  thoughts  on the definition:
1. Prevention Focus: The emphasis on prevention is vital. Preventing individuals from experiencing rough sleeping in the first place is the most effective and humane approach.
2. Rare, Brief, and One-Off: This part of the definition recognizes that for some people, circumstances may lead to rough sleeping. Ensuring that such experiences are rare and brief is crucial for reducing the trauma associated with homelessness.

 Suggested Changes:
1. Inclusivity: The definition could be broadened to emphasize the need for inclusive support systems that address the diverse needs of individuals at risk of rough sleeping, including those with mental health issues, substance use challenges, and other vulnerabilities.
2. Comprehensive Support: It could highlight the importance of not only providing immediate shelter but also long-term support options that lead to stability, such as job training and mental health services.

What is Missing:
1. Community Engagement: The definition lacks mention of community involvement and the role of society in supporting those at risk of rough sleeping. Engaging local communities can foster a sense of responsibility and encourage collective action.
2. Holistic Approach: There is limited emphasis on the need for a holistic approach that includes addressing systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of affordable housing.
3. Sustainability: It does not explicitly mention the sustainability of solutions, which is essential for ensuring that progress is maintained over time.

Meaning of ‘Ending Rough Sleeping by 2030’:
To me, "ending rough sleeping by 2030" signifies a commitment to a future where everyone has access to safe and stable housing, backed by comprehensive support, ensuring that no one is left behind

Dismantling the structures that transfer from local government, housing benefit as a source of income for the likes of L&G / St. Mungos etc. How much of our money is being diverted into the hands of these huge "social landlords" that could otherwise be spent on actually housing more people and providing the essential services / interventions that are needed? Yes, more money is and will be needed alongside the real political will to turn this around. However, this is the UK. RIP off Britain where the vast majority of us are fleeced and gaslit by the wealthy and well connected. Ending rough sleeping is just one more on the list of "issues" easily exploited for political self-interest. The UK is a mess and an embarrassment and it has NOTHING to do with immigration, legal or otherwise. It's abuse from the powerful and the forces of conservatism (small c).

Maybe “Sir” Sadiq Khan should spend less time on TV and promoting vanity projects such as the renaming of the Overground and more time on providing accommodation and help for homeless people. I do not understand why he merited a knighthood. 

The definition is fine in itself but I do question the amount of time it has to take to clear the majority of rough sleepers in London. 2030...why does it take years to achieve? It's about the space, time and money to facilitate a temp housing facility. This could be made of shipping containers, disused warehouses or industrial buildings or disused office buildings of which there are plenty around the country. We should facilitate moving rough sleepers to other parts of the country if it means a semi permanent roof over their head.

Some and I only mean some people choose to be homeless because the relationships that they have with their family are non existent and unstable. They do not have the family support available to them. Homelessness is not just people from poor backgrounds either. There are homeless people from very well to do backgrounds as well. Some people see homelessness as a complete evasion of any responsibility I.e people who are unable to cope with holding down a job, have relationships or cope with any form of responsibility. I was concerned about how many rough sleepers there were out on the pavements in Kensington during the really cold spell and I felt unsafe. I thought that councils were honour bound to provide emergency shelter to those sleeping rough.

Drug and alcohol addiction seems to be a major problem and seems to make it harder for people to get back into stable accommodation.  For that reason I think that rehabilitation needs to be a priority and that drug and alcohol addiction should not bar people from going through the process of being housed.  Then these people need regular support and attention for years to help them to maintain a good life.  And yes, it is not easy - but it will be worth it.