Rough sleepers still on the streets despite ‘Everybody in’ programme

By Julia Gregory, local democracy reporter

Emergency accommodation was given to 250 rough sleepers in Westminster when the temperature plummeted this winter, according to official figures.

Across the UK the severe weather emergency protocol is called when the temperature drops to 0 degrees or below.

This year because of Covid it has been more challenging to find emergency accommodation as communal spaces such as hostels were ruled out because of the risk of infection.

The Mayor of London said only self-contained accommodation such as hotel rooms should be used this year and communal spaces should only be used as a last resort “when all options to provide self-contained rooms have been exhausted”.

The emergency protocol of the winter first swung into action on December 7 last year, with more days of severe cold after the New Year.

Westminster has the highest number of rough sleepers in the country.

According to St Mungo’s Combined Homelessness Information Network (CHAIN) figures there were 2,350 people living on the streets of Westminster in March 2020, before lockdown started and the government launched its Everybody In scheme.

In 2015-16  there were 2,857 sleepers  in the borough, according to CHAIN figures – 35  per cent of all those in London.

According to a Westminster council report 111 people were spotted sleeping rough during a street count in January.

This was a drop from 242 who were seen sleeping rough in November 2020 and less than half the 244 officials counted on the streets in January 2020, before the start of the pandemic.

In July 2019 a street count recorded 389 rough sleepers on Westminster streets.

However homelessness  campaigner Paul Atherton said the figures do not show the full picture as anyone staying in a tent is not included in official figures.

He said: “If you wander down the Strand you will see an avenue of tents.”

Mr Atherton who was staying in a Heathrow terminal building at the start of the pandemic said charities are reporting “they have never seen anything like this year”.

He said: “There should be nobody out there. The numbers should be zero.”

He said more people have lost jobs because of the pandemic and others have been evicted from temporary accommodation.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is giving Westminster City Council a £210,000 surge winter capacity fund and was also providing another £100,000 for winter pressures money last month.

Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for communities and regeneration  Heather Acton said:  

“Our outreach teams continue to offer key support and protection for rough sleepers across Westminster, working around the clock to provide support, access to mental health, drug and alcohol addiction services and suitable accommodation to some of the most vulnerable in the city. “

She said the pandemic has hit hard.

“Since March last year, we’ve seen more than 1,000 new rough sleepers in Westminster with large numbers going into emergency accommodation for a sustained period.

“Work has continued with a group of entrenched individuals who have remained on the streets and we are pleased to note that we have been successful in helping some who have been on our streets for a decade into sustainable accommodation.”

 And councillor Acton said services have been increased to match demand and to provide essential support during the national lockdown.

“This has included the opening of additional donation hubs, emergency accommodation, testing and treatment centres, supporting those clinically vulnerable, as well as the organisation of rapid routes off the streets and into safe and secure accommodation. 

“We have also been working with health partners to roll out a vaccination programme for rough sleepers and those in emergency accommodation.

“Our teams are well versed in providing an increased and adaptable service day and night, ensuring that as many people as possible have access to the help and support that they need to get off the streets.”