Campaign background
- Each year around 3,000 people sleep rough in London and there are thousands more hidden homeless in the capital.
- Around 57,000 households in London live in temporary accommodation.
- In 2007, more than 30,000 households applied to their local council for homelessness assistance - but most single homeless people will not have qualified for help.
What the Mayor of London should do - and how you can help
The Mayor of London has far-reaching powers and can make a real difference to homeless people in the capital.
Ahead of the elections for the Mayor of London on May 1, we have been working with Crisis members who have experienced homelessness to see what they want from the next mayor.
Our members have told us that they want better help to make it easier to get off the streets and into accommodation, to move on from hostels and get their own places at affordable prices, to get the help they need to prepare for work and to get employers to take them seriously.
We have drawn up three main priorities for the next mayor, which you can support
- An end to rough sleeping in time for the Olympics The Mayor needs to take a strong lead in reducing all forms of homelessness, it can’t just be left to individual boroughs. With a new focus and the right approach, the next mayor can end rough sleeping in the capital by the end of his term in 2012.
- More affordable housing, particularly for the most vulnerable London needs more housing of all types, but particularly for vulnerable groups. As well as building more affordable housing the Mayor should invest in innovative new models of housing combining good quality accommodation with support and opportunities to move into work.
- A major new effort to help homeless people develop skills and move into work Many homeless people want to work but lack the support, skills development and opportunities. The Mayor must bring his responsibilities for skills, public health, culture and the OIympics together with housing to provide the opportunities and support homeless people need.
Add your voice to support this call for change.
