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‘Hidden homeless’ not receiving support, report reveals
Official figures could be vastly underestimating the number of homeless people on any one night in London, the London Assembly has said.
In its Hidden homelessness in London report, the London Assembly’s Housing Committee said an extrapolation of data published by homelessness charity Crisis last month showed at least 12,500 people in London were without a fixed bed each night. This is far in excess of the 964 recorded sleeping rough by the government one night last year.
‘Hidden homeless’ people could include people sleeping on sofas, squatting or sleeping on public transport.
The Assembly has called for new laws to ensure domestic violence sufferers are allowed to stay in their homes, rather than their abusers. The report said relationship breakdown as well as a need to escape violence at home are primary causes of hidden homelessness.
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The report said: “We heard that in some cases those who become hidden homeless should be entitled to support, but are unable to prove their entitlement.
“In other cases, they are not entitled to support, do not have the means to remain housed independently in their community and are unable to move elsewhere to find a home.”
The study cited a scheme that allows women in Southwark to keep their local authority housing eligibility band when they move out of the borough.
It also hailed the Pan-London Housing Reciprocal Agreement, a voluntary collaboration whereby local authorities and registered housing providers co-operate to move households.
“Making this practice commonplace, through new legislation, would improve the lives of victims,” said the report.
It called for mayor of London Sadiq Khan to create guidance for councils and charities on dealing with non-priority-need applicants, with “particular reference to advice and support for young and LGBT persons, as well as supporting vulnerable people”.
Sian Berry, chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, said: “People sleeping on the streets of our city are just the tip of an iceberg.
“In fact, 13 times more Londoners are hidden and homeless than are visibly sleeping rough.
“Young people, asylum seekers and people escaping domestic violence can find it hard to get help due to gaps in current policies, and many don’t even try to seek help. So-called sofa surfing is common and people can end up staying with virtual strangers where they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
“With the Homelessness Reduction Act coming soon, the Housing Committee wants to see more action on this problem.”
