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London Councils appoints new rough sleeping programme director
A new rough sleeping programme director has been appointed by London Councils, tasked with co-ordinating cross-agency efforts to secure long-term accommodation and prevent people from returning to the streets.
Michelle Binfield has been appointed to the new role, which is based at the representative body London Councils, and jointly funded by the London Housing Directors’ Group and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Ms Binfield previously worked as lead commissioner for the pan-London rough sleeper substance misuse programme and was Lambeth Council’s associate director for commissioning (public health and social care).
Starting in August, she will work with London local authorities, the Greater London Authority, central government, health services, the voluntary sector and others to build on the achievements made by the homelessness sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her appointment comes after latest figures showed rough sleeping increased by 3% in London in 2020/21 despite the emergency measures introduced to protect homeless people and renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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These measures include the government’s ‘Everyone In scheme’, through which 5,000 former rough sleepers in London have been moved into settled accommodation, with a further 2,500 in emergency accommodation such as hostels.
Ms Binfield said: “No one should have to resort to sleeping on the streets. I’m determined to see London make faster progress in helping rough sleepers into accommodation and giving them the support they need to move on from rough sleeping.
“This will be an immense challenge, but I’m incredibly excited by the opportunity to work with partners across the capital and to make a real difference in rough sleepers’ lives.”
Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ executive member for housing and planning and leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “Rough sleeping isn’t inevitable and London’s response to the pandemic and the ‘Everyone In’ directive shows how quickly things can change for the better.
“This new post will play a key role in co-ordinating strategy and driving forward our shared ambition to end rough sleeping altogether.”
Rough sleeping minister Eddie Hughes said: “Tackling rough sleeping in London is key to meeting the government’s commitment to end rough sleeping by the end of this parliament, and we have committed over £750m this year to achieve this, including funding towards this post.
“The programme director role will play a crucial part in achieving our shared ambition. I congratulate Michelle on her appointment and look forward to working with her, and other London partners, to build on the huge success of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative and provide rough sleepers with a route off the street for good.”
Jamie Carswell, co-chair of the London Housing Directors’ Group, said: “With her steadfast commitment to supporting rough sleepers and her years of experience in homelessness services across London, Michelle was the ideal candidate for this important new role.
“Reducing rough sleeping in London requires a wide range of partners all working together. As programme director, Michelle will be integral to successful collaboration in the capital and our pan-London efforts to achieve the best possible outcomes for rough sleepers.”
Tom Copley, London’s deputy mayor for housing and residential development, said: “London’s response to rough sleeping during the pandemic saved the lives of hundreds of vulnerable people and demonstrated what we can do when national government, local government, health services and charities work together to tackle this crisis.
“However, there are still far too many people sleeping rough on the streets of London and I look forward to working closely with Michelle in her new role as we continue to push towards ending homelessness in London for good.”
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