Identifying the right and timely support for rough-sleepers in London

Rough sleeping in London has reached record levels, with more than 13,000 people seen sleeping rough in 2024–25. With demand rising and services under pressure, the London Assembly Housing Committee will meet tomorrow to examine how people sleeping rough are identified and supported across the capital.

The Committee will explore the effectiveness and consistency of current arrangements, including outreach services, StreetLink, The Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), and Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Members will also scrutinise the Mayor’s Rough Sleeping Plan of Action and assess what further action is needed to prevent rough sleeping and ensure support reaches people quickly.

Members will look at the barriers in outreach programmes, the effectiveness of SWEP and how London can better prepare for more extreme weather, and what more the Mayor can do to support boroughs and ensure people sleeping rough receive timely, appropriate help.

The guests are:

Panel 1 [14.00 – 15.30]  

• Jess Turtle, Founder and co-director, Museum of Homelessness  
• Sophie Boobis, Head of Research and Policy, Homeless Link   
• Jillian Thursby, Service Director for Pan and Central London and Street Homeless Services 
• Greg Hurst, Director of Communications and Public Engagement, Centre for Homelessness  

Panel 2 [15.35 – 16.50]  

• David Eastwood MBE, Strategic Lead Rough Sleeping, London Borough of Westminster  
• Simone Meila, Head of Housing Solutions, London Borough of Camden  
• Ellen Storrar, Head of Specialist Housing and Services, Greater London Authority (GLA)  
• Molly Bishop, Lead Manager, Rough Sleeping, GLA  

The meeting will take place on Thursday 12 March 2026 from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

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