Camden launches new rough sleeping support service with Single Homeless Project
A new rough sleeping outreach service has officially launched in Camden in partnership with Single Homeless Project.
The new service was unveiled this week at an event alongside partners across the borough who deliver rough sleeping support services, including specialists in housing, mental health and wellbeing.
Earlier this year, Single Homeless Project was awarded the £10million contract to lead Camden Council’s rough sleeping outreach service.
The service started in April and is a six-year partnership to build on Camden’s work to end street homelessness and support people who are rough sleeping rebuild their lives away from the streets.
At the centre of the new service is a support hub, moving away from traditional models and towards a more integrated, multi-agency approach combined with assertive outreach which proactively reaches out to those sleeping rough. The service will have renewed focus on trauma-informed assessment and support and will pilot a “no wrong door approach” to increase access routes into support.
The hub will serve as a ‘one stop shop’ where specialists in housing, mental health, and drug and alcohol will work alongside each other to provide access to housing and other support.
No one should be sleeping on our streets and we are working incredibly hard in Camden to prevent rough sleeping and support those who are most vulnerable. The housing crisis has hit central London the hardest. This coupled with Camden having three of the largest transport hubs, means we remain under constant pressure with high numbers of rough sleeping in the borough.
This new outreach service, delivered in partnership with Single Homeless Project, is a step forward in our work to achieving this. In line with our current Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, we will be able to better respond to the growing challenges we are facing by joining up support – including housing, health and social care - to provide the best support possible for those sleeping rough.
We are excited to be beginning this journey with Single Homeless Project which will make a huge difference to people who are sleeping rough - allowing us to be more proactive than ever before and helping ensure everyone has a single, clear way to get the support they need to leave rough sleeping behind for good.
We know too many people are still being missed by traditional outreach approaches, particularly women and others whose experiences of homelessness are often hidden from view. This new service is about changing that, helping people get support earlier and making sure there is no wrong door into help.
By bringing specialist services together and working closely with partners across the borough, we can provide more joined-up, trauma-informed support that helps people move away from the streets for good. We’re proud to be working with Camden Council to deliver a more inclusive and ambitious approach to ending rough sleeping.
As part of the new contract, there will be a significant increase in investment into the service to respond to increasing challenges and better meet the evolving needs of those sleeping rough.
The new service will continue to offer specialist, wrap-around support tailored to the specific needs of individuals, but with a greater focus on delivering dedicated pathways for different groups, including women, those experiencing mental health challenges, people rough sleeping for longer periods, and individuals with no recourse to public funds.
About Single Homeless Project
- Single Homeless Project is London’s leading homeless charity. The charity prevents homelessness, provides safe places to live and gives over 10,000 people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures every year. And they never give up.
- Find out more about Single Homeless Project shp.org.uk.
Photo caption (Left to right):
- Mike Fill, Single Homelessness Strategic Commissioner, Camden Council
- Lucy Campbell, Assistant Director, Single Homeless Project
- Jason Marriott, Long-Term Rough Sleeping Advisor, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
- Cllr Pat Callaghan, Deputy Leader of Camden Council
- Tyron Julien, Assistant Director, Single Homeless Project