London Councils announce leadership role to end rough sleeping

The new Rough Sleeping Programme Director will co-ordinate London’s cross-agency efforts to secure long-term accommodation for rough sleepers and prevent them from returning to the streets.

Michelle Binfield, who previously worked as lead commissioner for the Pan-London Rough Sleeper Substance Misuse Programme and Lambeth Council’s associate director for commissioning (public health and social care), will start the new role in August.

The Councils hope the appointment will help them achieve their ambitions to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2024, with the new programme director working with local authorities, the GLA, central government, health services, the voluntary sector and others to tackle homelessness.

Michelle Binfield said: ‘No one should have to resort to sleeping on the streets. I’m determined to see London make faster progress in helping rough sleepers into accommodation and giving them the support they need to move on from rough sleeping.

‘This will be an immense challenge, but I’m incredibly excited by the opportunity to work with partners across the capital and to make a real difference in rough sleepers’ lives.’

London faces major homelessness pressures, with the capital and South East accounting for almost half of all rough sleepers in England.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s ‘Everyone In’ initiative, around 5000 former rough sleepers are now in settled accommodation the city, while approximately 2500 people remain in emergency temporary accommodation.

Eddie Hughes MP, minister for rough sleeping and housing, said: ‘Tackling rough sleeping in London is key to meeting the government’s commitment to end rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament, and we have committed over £750 million this year to achieve this, including funding towards this post.

‘The Programme Director role will play a crucial part in achieving our shared ambition. I congratulate Michelle on her appointment and look forward to working with her, and other London partners, to build on the huge success of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative and provide rough sleepers with a route off the street for good.’

In related news, new analysis by City Hall found that the cost of renting privately in London could rise by almost 20% over the next five years if left unchecked.

Photo by Tom Parsons