Rough sleeping - how you can help
Some members of the local community have raised concerns about the welfare of an individual currently sleeping rough next to Hackney Town Hall.
We appreciate the concern shown for this person, who is clearly in a vulnerable situation. We have a multi-disciplinary team of professional and passionate street outreach workers who work around the clock and do all they can to support people who are sleeping rough off the street and into safe, stable accommodation.
Every example of street homelessness is worrying and – as is often the case with people who find themselves on the streets – this a sensitive and complicated situation. It can take time to build trust with and encourage individuals to leave the streets, and during this time we would encourage residents to respect their right to privacy.
Tackling rough sleeping is about far more than finding someone on the street and giving them a place to live. In most cases, people need much more than simply a roof over their head – they need support from a range of different professional and voluntary services, whether its healthcare, addiction support, or mental health services. Our teams do all they can, working in partnership, to provide that support.
Nobody should be forced to sleep rough in Hackney. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we have worked harder than ever to end rough sleeping, and in the overwhelming majority of cases we are able to support people into accommodation.
If you see someone bedding down outside, let our outreach workers know using the Street link app and our team will be out to find them and offer accommodation.
The four steps below show some simple things you can do to make a positive difference and help people sleeping rough.
A smile or ‘hello’ can make a big difference, to help someone feel less invisible and part of the community
Help financially by donating £3 to Tap London’s contactless donation points - money goes to the Mayor of London’s rough sleeping fund, which supports local charities. You can also donate online at www.taplondon.org or support the Hackney Winter Night Shelter.
Find out about local volunteering opportunities at hackney.gov.uk/rough-sleeping
If you see someone bedding down outside, let our outreach workers know via the Streetlink app (streetlink.org.uk) or direct them to the Greenhouse in Tudor Road, E9, the Council’s one stop shop for advice and services for people facing homelessness.