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Your weekly update of London local government issues

9 Aug 23

Latest figures show around one in fifty Londoners are now homeless

London Councils' latest survey of boroughs’ homelessness data estimates the number of homeless residents in temporary accommodation arranged by their local authority has risen to almost 170,000, equivalent to around one in fifty of all Londoners. That figure includes 83,500 children – meaning on average at least one child in every London classroom is homeless.

London Councils’ survey provides a more up-to-date overview of the situation across the capital than the government’s homelessness data, for which there is a six-month lag in publication timeframes.

Due to the lack of alternative housing, boroughs are becoming more reliant on the last resort option of placing homeless families in B&B accommodation. The number of families placed in B&Bs doubled between April 2022 and April 2023.

( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Homelessness pressures across the capital are fast becoming unmanageable. Ministers need to treat this as the emergency it clearly is. Much more action is needed to help low-income households avoid homelessness and to reverse the rising numbers relying on temporary accommodation.”

London Councils is urging the government to take a number of steps to address the capital's worsening homelessness crisis, including: Raising the Local Housing Allowance (LHA); Supporting councils to buy accommodation sold by private landlords; Boosting the Homelessness Prevention Grant funding; Increasing Discretionary Housing Payments; and bringing forward a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness.

Digital Inclusion

The ( [link removed] )London Office of Innovation and Technology (LOTI) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) is supporting boroughs to tackle digital exclusion in London through its Digital Inclusion Innovation Programme ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Originally launched as part of the London Recovery Board's goal for “Every Londoner to have access to good connectivity, basic digital skills and the device or support they need to be online by 2025", the programme is delivering a number of projects, including addressing the specific needs of digitally excluded individuals and families living in temporary accommodation.

The focus for the programme now is to design and launch London’s first digital inclusion service ( [link removed] )Get Online London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), supported by LOTI and the GLA and delivered by Good Things Foundation.

Parking and Traffic Enforcement Penalty Charges Consultation

We are reviewing the London Parking and Traffic Enforcement Penalty Charges and we want you to have your say. The consultation ( [link removed] )can be found here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), along with additional information to support you in responding to it.

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Media round-up...

One in 50 Londoners homeless and in emergency homes - London Councils
( [link removed] )BBC News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London rent crisis deepens: Costs may soar to £2,700 as families face being driven in to poverty
( [link removed] )City AM ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

The rental crisis led to my children missing months of school – as we scrambled to find a home
( [link removed] )i-News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

LGA: Councils already seeing homeless Afghan families
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Cutting London’s air pollution could ease pressure on mental health services, say researchers
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

‘Tough choices’ abound as budget setting begins
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Appointments could spark finance review, says CIPFA chief
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard. 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL | [email protected] ( [email protected] )

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