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Number of rough sleepers rises again in London Number of rough sleepers rises again in London
(4 months later)
The number of homeless people recorded as spending a night on the streets of London has risen again, confirming that the mayor, Boris Johnson, has missed his ambitious target to end rough sleeping in the capital by the end of 2012.The number of homeless people recorded as spending a night on the streets of London has risen again, confirming that the mayor, Boris Johnson, has missed his ambitious target to end rough sleeping in the capital by the end of 2012.
The latest annual figures show that 6,437 people were seen rough sleeping in 2012-13, compared with 5,768 the previous year, a 13% rise year on year and an increase of 62% since 2010-11.The latest annual figures show that 6,437 people were seen rough sleeping in 2012-13, compared with 5,768 the previous year, a 13% rise year on year and an increase of 62% since 2010-11.
Homelessness charities said the problem was likely to get worse as a result of cuts to welfare and local authority budgets, and called on Johnson to take action.Homelessness charities said the problem was likely to get worse as a result of cuts to welfare and local authority budgets, and called on Johnson to take action.
Leslie Morphy, chief executive of the charity Crisis, said: "The mayor of London pledged to eliminate rough sleeping in the capital by 2012. Instead we see today the number of people sleeping on London's streets – in absolute destitution in one of the world's richest cities – has more than doubled on Boris's watch."Leslie Morphy, chief executive of the charity Crisis, said: "The mayor of London pledged to eliminate rough sleeping in the capital by 2012. Instead we see today the number of people sleeping on London's streets – in absolute destitution in one of the world's richest cities – has more than doubled on Boris's watch."
However, the statistics contained some positive news, revealing that a greater proportion of those recorded as rough sleepers were spending no more than one night out before being found accommodation or being returned to their home area by street outreach teams under the government's No Second Night Out initiative.However, the statistics contained some positive news, revealing that a greater proportion of those recorded as rough sleepers were spending no more than one night out before being found accommodation or being returned to their home area by street outreach teams under the government's No Second Night Out initiative.
Three-quarters of rough sleepers were recorded as not sleeping out again after their first night, compared with 70% the previous year.Three-quarters of rough sleepers were recorded as not sleeping out again after their first night, compared with 70% the previous year.
Johnson pledged during his mayoral election campaigns in 2008 and 2012 to end rough sleeping in London and to ensure that by the end of 2012 no one would spend a second night on the streets.Johnson pledged during his mayoral election campaigns in 2008 and 2012 to end rough sleeping in London and to ensure that by the end of 2012 no one would spend a second night on the streets.
The figures collected by the Broadway charity and the Greater London Authority show:The figures collected by the Broadway charity and the Greater London Authority show:
• Just over half of rough sleepers (53%) were non-UK nationals. Of these, 28% were from central and eastern European member states of the EU.• Just over half of rough sleepers (53%) were non-UK nationals. Of these, 28% were from central and eastern European member states of the EU.
• Nine per cent of people seen sleeping rough were over 55 years old, and six people aged under 18 were contacted by outreach teams.• Nine per cent of people seen sleeping rough were over 55 years old, and six people aged under 18 were contacted by outreach teams.
• Among UK nationals, 3% of rough sleepers (145 people) were known to have served in the armed forces.• Among UK nationals, 3% of rough sleepers (145 people) were known to have served in the armed forces.
Howard Sinclair, the chief executive of Broadway, said: "While any increase in the number of rough sleepers in London is concerning, there is much work being done to support those in need. This is reflected in the fact that three-quarters of new rough sleepers were only seen sleeping rough once and figures show that a small number of people were contacted in all four quarters of 2012/13.Howard Sinclair, the chief executive of Broadway, said: "While any increase in the number of rough sleepers in London is concerning, there is much work being done to support those in need. This is reflected in the fact that three-quarters of new rough sleepers were only seen sleeping rough once and figures show that a small number of people were contacted in all four quarters of 2012/13.
"However, while we acknowledge and welcome the significant investment made in services for rough sleepers in London, and the positive impact of that investment, we are clear that we need to maintain a similar investment level in preventative services so as to stop people arriving on the streets in the first place. Yet this is the area which has experienced dramatically reduced funding over the past two years.""However, while we acknowledge and welcome the significant investment made in services for rough sleepers in London, and the positive impact of that investment, we are clear that we need to maintain a similar investment level in preventative services so as to stop people arriving on the streets in the first place. Yet this is the area which has experienced dramatically reduced funding over the past two years."
Darren Johnson, a Green party London Assembly member, said: "The mayor has helped more people off the streets, but he has failed to tackle the reasons why they end up there in the first place. The mayor has supported cuts to our welfare safety net, overlooked damaging cuts to homelessness services and opposed reforms to our insecure private rented sector. If he doesn't change course, his aim of ending rough sleeping will remain a distant dream."Darren Johnson, a Green party London Assembly member, said: "The mayor has helped more people off the streets, but he has failed to tackle the reasons why they end up there in the first place. The mayor has supported cuts to our welfare safety net, overlooked damaging cuts to homelessness services and opposed reforms to our insecure private rented sector. If he doesn't change course, his aim of ending rough sleeping will remain a distant dream."
The figures do not include homeless people who are squatting or "sofa surfing" on friend's couches. London has the highest proportion of recorded rough sleeping of any area in England.The figures do not include homeless people who are squatting or "sofa surfing" on friend's couches. London has the highest proportion of recorded rough sleeping of any area in England.
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