The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee was scheduled to discuss updates on the City of London's strategy to combat homelessness and rough sleeping, alongside performance reports and the quality assurance of services. The meeting's agenda also included a review of families currently in temporary accommodation and an update on joint working initiatives.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023–2027 Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023–2027. This report, prepared by the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, was intended to provide members with a summary of actions underway and completed as part of the strategy's delivery plan. It also aimed to update members on a collaboration session held in July 2026, which brought together various stakeholders to assess progress and refine priorities for the remainder of the strategy period. The report detailed performance data for the first quarter of 2026/27, referencing four key intervention pillars: providing rapid, effective, and tailored interventions; securing access to suitable, affordable accommodation; achieving goals through better collaboration and partnership; and providing support beyond accommodation. The report noted that 53 actions were on the delivery plan, with 33 completed and 15 underway. It highlighted a 14% reduction in rough sleeping in the City of London during 2025/26, a greater decrease than the 2% reduction seen across Greater London. However, the report also indicated persistent challenges in moving households into temporary accommodation, leading to an increased average length of stay.

Rough Sleeping Annual Performance Report 2025-26

A discussion was scheduled regarding the Rough Sleeping Annual Performance Report for 2025-26. This report, compiled by the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, provided an overview of the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) data for the City of London. It aimed to analyse local trends in conjunction with wider London figures and data from selected neighbouring boroughs. The report indicated that 757 individuals were recorded as rough sleeping in the City of London during 2025/26, representing a 13.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this reduction, the City of London remained the third highest borough among the comparator areas. The report also noted a decrease in accommodation outcomes, with 254 individuals having an accommodation booking recorded, down from 279 in 2024/25. The majority of those seen rough sleeping were identified as new to the streets, while the overall demographic profile and support needs remained consistent with the prior year. The report referenced the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023–2027's priority areas, including rapid interventions, securing accommodation, collaboration, and support beyond accommodation.

Families in Temporary Accommodation

The sub-committee was scheduled to receive a report detailing the situation of families residing in temporary accommodation provided by the City of London Corporation. This report, from the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, aimed to summarise the actions taken by the Statutory Homelessness Team to support these families, maintain their access to essential services, and outline available move-on options. It also intended to highlight the challenges faced in discharging housing duties for families into social and council housing. The report was expected to present key data, aligning with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government's Homelessness Case Level Information Collection (H-CLIC) and the Local Outcomes Framework. As of early September 2026, the report indicated that 13 families were being accommodated outside the City of London, all under the Section 193 Main Duty, meaning the Corporation has a duty to house them until settled accommodation is secured. The average length of stay for these families was noted as just under three years, with most having shorter stays, but some outliers experiencing significantly longer periods. The report also detailed the move-on options, primarily through the City of London's Housing Register, and highlighted challenges such as a shortage of family-sized properties and the increasing unaffordability of the private rented sector.

Quality Assurance System, Progress and Next Steps

A report on the Quality Assurance System for commissioned services within the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Service Area was scheduled for discussion. Prepared by the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, this report was intended to provide members with an overview of the quality assurance process, the outcomes of reviews undertaken, and proposed next steps. The report outlined the Quality Assurance Framework, which sets standards across 13 areas including client casework, accommodation, health and safety, safeguarding, and user involvement. It detailed the stages of service reviews, from initial presentations to final reports and action plans. The report noted that while the process had been successful, it was also administratively intensive and lacked efficiency. Plans for improvement included merging framework subject areas, automating processes, and introducing mini-reviews.

Joint Working Group Update

The sub-committee was scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the Joint Working Group (JWG) over the preceding three months. This report, from the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, was intended to outline key operational activities, partnership developments, emerging issues, and priorities for the coming period. The JWG, which brings together various City Corporation services, the City of London Police, outreach providers, and other stakeholders, aims to coordinate responses to rough sleeping hotspots, tented encampments, and associated anti-social behaviour. The report highlighted coordinated operational activity across complex sites such as Baynard House Podium and Unilever Green, balancing support for vulnerable individuals with addressing public safety concerns. The report also noted external interest in the City's partnership model, with a senior representative from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government attending meetings.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 9 June 2026.