The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee met on Tuesday 09 June 2026 to discuss the City of London Corporation's response to homelessness and rough sleeping. The meeting agenda included updates on national homelessness plans, the council's ongoing strategy, commissioning and procurement activities, and annual reviews of severe weather and statutory homelessness.

National Plan to End Homelessness

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Government's National Plan to End Homelessness, published in December 2025. This plan aims to shift local homelessness systems towards a prevention-led approach and sets new expectations for councils regarding planning, governance, temporary accommodation standards, and partnership working. The report indicated that the City of London Corporation would need to prepare a local Homelessness Action Plan with measurable targets aligned to the national Outcomes Framework. The plan also commits to eliminating the unlawful use of Bed & Breakfasts for families, improving temporary accommodation, embedding early intervention, and strengthening collaboration across public services.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2027 Update

A report was scheduled to provide Members with a summary of progress against the aims of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023–2027. The strategy is administered through a Strategy Delivery Plan (SDP), with 53 actions outlined. As of the report, 29 actions were completed, and 19 were underway. The update included performance data for the fourth quarter of 2025/26 and the full financial year. Key performance indicators showed a 19% reduction in rough sleeping in the City of London during Q4, mirroring the wider Greater London region. The average duration of stays in temporary accommodation had also reduced, and there was an increase in Private Rented Sector (PRS) placements. However, the report noted a slight increase in individuals sleeping in hotspots and encampments.

Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping – Commissioning and Procurement Update

This agenda item was to provide Members with a six-monthly update on the commissioning and procurement of services for the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Service. The service currently commissions 22 different services with a total annual value of £3.9 million. The report detailed the current list of services by annual value bracket and outlined the ongoing commissioning and procurement activities, including target dates for services such as Street Homeless Outreach and Support, Women's Floating Support Service, and Housing First. The pipeline priorities for future commissioning were also to be discussed, including winter provision and a rough sleeper staging post and resettlement service.

Annual Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) Report 2026

The committee was to review the City of London's Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for the 2025/2026 winter period. The report highlighted that there were fewer SWEP activations and active days compared to the previous year, with a decrease in individuals accepting SWEP and a reduction in total placements. The SWEP provision included 13 communal bedspaces and 17 self-contained hotel rooms. The report detailed the operational process, including efforts to assess individuals and offer support before SWEP deactivation, and the role of a newly recruited Winter Worker. The total cost for Winter SWEP 2025/2026 was £19,012.42, a significant decrease from the previous year.

Statutory Homelessness Annual Review 2025/26

This report was scheduled to summarise the activity undertaken by the City of London Statutory Homelessness Team between April 2025 and March 2026. It indicated an increased demand on the service, with 793 approaches handled, a 25% increase on the previous year. The report detailed the reasons for these approaches, with 'Evicted' showing a slight increase. Referrals through the Duty to Refer also increased by 19%. The team saw a 25% increase in positive outcomes at the Relief Duty stage and an increase in accepted Relief and Main Housing Duty cases. Temporary accommodation usage increased by 9%, but the average length of stay reduced to 375 days. The report also covered reviews and appeals under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996.

City of London Police Update

A verbal report was scheduled from the Commissioner of the City of London Police, providing an update on their work related to homelessness and rough sleeping.

Other Agenda Items

The meeting was also scheduled to include the election of a Deputy Chairman, the agreement of the public minutes from the previous meeting held on 12 February 2026, and a session for questions on matters relating to the Sub-Committee's work. The agenda also included provisions for excluding the public for non-public agenda items.