Hackney,
01
December
2022
|
14:14
Europe/London

Rough sleeper count: council kept hundreds off streets in past year

Roughsleepercount

Volunteers counted 11 people sleeping on the streets of Hackney during the annual rough sleeper count – the lowest number since 2013, when the count was first introduced nationally.

Cllr Sade Etti, Mayoral Advisor for Homelessness, Housing Needs and Rough Sleeping

The housing crisis in Hackney and the cost of living increases have led to a growing number of individuals having to resort to sleeping on the street. 

More than 250 new rough sleepers were referred to our outreach team in the past year - and it is testament to the work of that team and our partners that the street count recorded such low numbers. Of those only seven have been living on the streets for more than three months. Every rough-sleeper is offered a place to sleep, but for complex reasons, have not taken up that offer.”

The official street count gives a ‘snapshot’ of the number of people bedding down outside, or in buildings or other places not designed for habitation. A team of Hackney Council staff, outreach workers and volunteers covered every ward in the borough.

Cllr Sade Etti, Mayoral Advisor for Homelessness, Housing Needs and Rough Sleeping