Haringey Council is intensifying its efforts to eradicate rough sleeping in the borough, building on a 33% reduction achieved since 2022. At a Full Council meeting on Monday, councillors discussed and approved a motion outlining the council's commitment to this mission.
The council has resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to showcase the policies and strategies that have contributed to Haringey's measurable progress. The aim is to invite the Secretary of State or a relevant minister to visit the borough to see these policies in action and discuss how Haringey's local success might translate to the national picture.
The motion acknowledges that homelessness and rough sleeping are complex social issues that require a multi-faceted approach, addressing housing, mental health, domestic abuse, and immigration and asylum concerns. Councillors noted the increase in rough sleeping since 2010, but highlighted the positive impact of local measures, including the Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2027, which emphasizes trauma-informed and evidence-led practices.
Other initiatives contributing to the decrease in rough sleeping include securing £4m in government funding to expand housing stock and deliver 24/7 wraparound support, implementing a rapid-access accommodation model, repurposing Osborne Grove to provide 37 accommodation units, and opening a female-only crash pad.
The council also allocates 20% of all beds to individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), addressing a critical gap in statutory support and ensuring that vulnerable individuals are not excluded from emergency housing. The specific challenges faced by individuals with NRPF are not detailed in the provided text.
The newly launched Homelessness Strategy sets out an ambition to phase out the use of commercial hotels for temporary accommodation and enhance front door services for families by creating a new prevention hub.
The council resolved to set ambitious targets and milestones for the mission to end rough sleeping in Haringey and to continue exploring means that contribute to this strategic objective, including providing holistic wrap around support for the breadth of challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
The council recognised that the task is not complete until rough sleeping has been eradicated in Haringey.
