Funding boost of £751,372 to help tackle homelessness in Islington
To mark World Homelessness Day, Islington Council can announce it will receive a £751,372 share of the Government’s £84 million uplift to homelessness and rough sleeping funding.
The investment will strengthen local support for people experiencing homelessness, and funding will be directed towards multiple projects including:
- Enhanced support for survivors of domestic abuse - the second largest driver of homelessness in Islington - building on the council’s Platinum Accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)
- Move-on support to help people transition from supported accommodation into stable housing
- Health interventions to ensure people sleeping rough have access to flu jabs and preventative care, helping reduce hospital admissions
While London has seen a rise in rough sleeping, Islington has bucked the trend—achieving a decrease in rough sleeping and ensuring that no one is sleeping rough long-term in the borough.
However, since last year, Islington has seen a 25% increase in people presenting as homeless, with 1,900 people in temporary accommodation. This surge is causing significant distress for those affected and placing considerable pressure on council services.
The council continues to take action to address the housing crisis, including:
- Building hundreds of new council homes
- Preventing over 900 households from becoming homeless
- Committing to buy back over 900 homes previously lost through Right to Buy
- Working to eliminate rough sleeping through targeted outreach and support
Cllr John Woolf, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: “In Islington, we’re determined to ensure that everyone has a safe, decent place to call home.
“We work tirelessly to house those most in need. This is more challenging than ever before as we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness at a time when our resources are stretched to the limit.
“We’re proud of our efforts to eliminate rough sleeping, and Islington has one of the lowest number of people sleeping rough in the country. This funding is vitally important in helping us to secure urgently needed interventions and care."
Notes to editors
If you are concerned about anyone sleeping rough, notify StreetLink at thestreetlink.org.uk. If someone is in immediate danger, needs medical assistance or is under 18, always call 999.
Contact information
If you are a member of the public with a general question about the council please view the contact information on our website or call 020 7527 2000.