“Our current patchwork support systems are failing the people they are intended to help. It is vital that we break the cycle of unacceptably high numbers of people facing the trauma of homelessness,” said Henderson.
“We are calling for the government to reset homelessness funding as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review, creating a sustainable and joined up system that gets results.
“With effective funding in place, the new homelessness strategy will be able to take a truly collaborative approach across government departments and invest in the long-term solutions and homelessness prevention that we know are key to ending homelessness for good.”
Meanwhile, youth homelessness charities have sounded the alarm following a 30% annual increase in the number of young people sleeping rough.
A total of 477 people aged between 18 and 25 were counted on London’s streets over the three-month period.
Alexia Murphy, chief executive of youth homelessness charity, Depaul UK said: “We know from our services young people are really struggling to afford accommodation, as well as covering the cost of everyday living. Homelessness services are full and housing to move on to is hugely insufficient. Young people are stuck and routes off the street have become much harder to access.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
“Behind every number is a person facing the dangers, isolation and trauma of life on the streets. We urgently need more housing specifically for young people sleeping rough with wraparound support, as well as reforms to the benefits system to help people living in homelessness accommodation to move into work and rebuild their lives.
“As so many people sleep rough for the first time when they’re under 25, preventing young people becoming homeless should be a priority. That’s why we’re calling for a dedicated chapter on youth homelessness in the government’s upcoming homelessness strategy.”
Dr Lisa Doyle, head of policy and public affairs at Centrepoint, added: “The mayor, councils and charities can’t respond to this crisis on their own. We now need ministers to move quickly and provide the long-term vision and funding settlement needed to get people off the streets and to stop them ending up there in the first place.”
There is unlikely to be a decrease in the number of people sleeping rough in London at least until 2026.
That’s what mayor of London Khan told the Big Issue earlier this year. Khan is targeting an end to rough sleeping in London by 2030.
“I’m not going to wait until 2029 to end rough sleeping by 2030. We’ll start seeing progress once the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes an act, once we’ve negotiated with the government affordable housing programme and once we start seeing the cost of living crisis being addressed,” said Khan back in January.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
But London Councils warned last week that the cost of homelessness is pushing some local authorities in the English capital towards bankruptcy.
Driven largely by surging numbers of households living in temporary accommodation, the cross-party group said authorities spent 60% more than they had budgeted for on homelessness in 2024-25, resulting in a £330 million overspend.
The issue is the “single biggest risk” to council finances, councillors said.
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Big Issue is demanding an end to extreme poverty. Will you ask your MP to join us?
