**News release**
Thames Reach has welcomed the Mayor of London’s commitment to end rough sleeping in London by 2012.
Speaking at the launch of the London Delivery Board, a new group that brings together key stakeholders focussed on ending rough sleeping, Thames Reach Chief Executive, Jeremy Swain said:
“I am delighted that the Mayor has made the commitment to end rough sleeping in London by 2012. We are all rightly proud of this great city and it is utterly unacceptable that in 2009 some of its citizens still have to resort to sleeping on cardboard, huddled in shop doorways and along back alleys.
“He has brought together some of the most committed and effective representatives from local and central government and the voluntary sector to form the Delivery Board and I am very confident that this group will be the vanguard of an unstoppable coalition of interests which will secure London's place in history as the first major capital city where no one needs to sleep rough.”
The Mayor, Boris Johnson, said: “It’s scandalous that in 21st century London people have to resort to sleeping on the streets, which is why I have pledged to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2012. We are fully aware that in the current recession, when many might say that we should focus on other priorities such as building more homes, that this is an ambitious commitment. However, even in these challenging economic times, we must not lose sight of those less fortunate. Our commitment is more important than ever and we now have the right people gathered round one table to honour and achieve it.”
The Delivery Board has been set up in response to the government's rough sleeping strategy document 'No One Left Out’ launched last November. Chaired by Richard Blakeway, the Mayor’s Director of Housing, the Board is made up of senior level representatives from local authorities, leading charities, central government, and a range of social, health, and drugs and alcohol support services.
Ends
Notes to editor
1) Thames Reach is one of the UK’s leading homelessness charities. Its ultimate goal is to end street homelessness in the capital.
It runs the London Street Rescue project, helping rough sleepers off the streets, accommodation including hostels and supported housing projects, and innovative schemes which help formerly homeless people develop new skills, re-engage with family and friends, and get back into work. See www.thamesreach.org.uk
2) Homelessness charities have helped 20,000 people off the streets of the capital in the past ten years.
3) For further details contact Thames Reach communications manager Mike Nicholas on 0207 702 5646 or 07816 113420 out of office hours.
mike.nicholas@thamesreach.org.uk
