Response to the London Housing Board's draft ‘London Housing Strategy
2005–16’, February 2005
Thames Reach would like to see an increase in the amount of supported housing to address the current crisis in supply. This should include sheltered accommodation, shared supported housing, and specific accommodation and support for people with alcohol problems.
The final strategy should include a target of reducing street homelessness to fewer than 100 people sleeping rough by 2016, and the amount of provision available to rough sleepers in London should remain at or above current levels.
Thames Reach supports a pan-London approach to homelessness. Central London boroughs should agree to make a minimum percentage of hostel bed-spaces available to people who do not have a local borough connection. Joint funding arrangements should be established for rough sleepers who remain on the street, given their high level of need and vulnerability.
