MyLondon told Sadiq Khan what London's rough sleepers really think - here's what he said

MyLondon has confronted London Mayor Sadiq Khan with the harsh realities of homelessness in the capital. Rough sleeping in London hit a record high earlier this year. Our reporters have spoken with people on the street across the city after the Mayor of London promised to end homelessness in the city by 2030 during the mayoral election campaign in the spring.

A Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) report said in October that 4,780 people sleeping rough were counted between July and September this year. The Big Issue reports that this represented an 18 per cent increase on the same period last year, and was 13 per cent higher than the previous quarter. It was the highest quarterly figure on record.

The people we spoke said they do not believe that the Mayor can achieve his goal. Some also said that they feel safer sleeping rough than in hostels, where there is a risk of violence. The people we talked to said they have seen people's heads 'smashed in' and 'throats cut'. A number of homeless people who are originally from outside the capital are coming to London because of the city's wealth, and claim that councils say they cannot put them on a waiting list for a home because they aren't from the area.

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Through conversations with those experiencing homelessness, MyLondon uncovered a troubling picture of life on London's streets, where individuals struggle with safety, mental health, and the seemingly insurmountable challenge of finding stable housing. Mental health problems also mean that '24 hour care' would be needed in order to integrate individuals into society, including from psychiatrists, reporters heard. In addition, it was found that some people sleeping rough cannot face being helped because it is too daunting, and responsibilities associated with living in a home and getting a job mean most aren't ready to do so.

'People across the country come to London as they think it's a chance to fulfil their dreams'

Mr Khan spoke to MyLondon after he hosted an 'emergency' round table at City Hall in October. After being presented with our findings, the Mayor was asked: "You've been in office for more than eight years now, and you're blaming the previous government for a lack of investment. But it's not entirely their fault, is it? Do you share some responsibility for the situation?"

Mr Khan replied: "Well, let me respond to the four minutes of introduction you've just given me. Firstly, thanks to MyLondon for speaking to rough sleepers and giving them the dignity of having their voices heard, which is incredibly important." He added: "In London, we know there's been an increase in rough sleeping.

"We also know that, since 2016, we've increased by more than fourfold City Hall's rough sleeping budget. And that's enabled us to take off our streets 17,600 people sleeping rough. Those aren't just numbers, those are people who've been taken off our streets."

The Mayor added that the Greater London Assembly has funded wraparound care for those with drug or alcohol dependencies or mental health problems. "I do hold the previous government responsible for a lot of these challenges," he then said, suggesting that homelessness across the country has increased since 2010 because of 'underinvestment'.

Mr Khan added: "More than three quarters of those we've taken off our streets have stayed off our streets, which is incredibly important. But we know, for the reasons you've alluded to, that rough sleeping is going up. People across the country come to London, bright lights, big city, they think it's a chance to fulfil their dreams." Using sexuality as an example, he also suggested that people come to the capital because it's 'more accepting of people who are different'.

After Mr Khan mentioned that the previous Labour government reduced rough sleeping by 'more than 60 per cent', MyLondon interjected and told him that rough sleeping in London had got worse on his watch. The Mayor said: "Since 2010, rough sleeping has gone up by 170 per cent. The last time I checked, I became Mayor in 2016, not 2010."

Mayor's response to case studies

MyLondon presented three case studies to Mr Khan.

Gary Birdsall

Gary Birdsall says he has been homeless for more than 30 years. The 51-year-old talked to MyLondon about his life on the street. He said that he has had items stolen and the city can be 'dangerous' for people like him, as he lives with 'one eye closed and one eye open'.

Mr Birdsall added that borough councils need to be more flexible when helping rough sleepers in their area who do not have local connections. He ended the conversation by demanding that the Mayor come out onto the street to see the reality of rough sleeping.

He said: "I keep hearing stories from other people that Sadiq wants to end rough sleeping. I don't think he's going to do it. I'd like to see him out on the streets. So I'm demanding he comes out to meet us." When asked if he thought the Mayor knew the extent of the problem, Gary said: "He doesn't. "I don't think he'd survive. I’d love Sadiq to get his a*** out one night."

'I regularly meet rough sleepers, not just because I'm a journalist wanting to write a story'

Responding to Gary, Mr Khan said: "I've not been a rough sleeper for 30 years, as [Gary] has. I've just been speaking to Lorna [Tucker McCarvey], who has been a rough sleeper, and she reminded me that of all the people sleeping rough when she was a rough sleeper, only three have survived, because the life expectancy of rough sleepers, I think, is 39 years of age.

"They will die far sooner than journalists or politicians, so that's one of the reasons we've got an ambition to end rough sleeping by 2030." It can be done, the Mayor insisted, with the right leadership, resources and policy.

When pressed further, Mr Khan added: "I regularly meet rough sleepers, not just because I'm a journalist wanting to write a story. Because I'm a Londoner who believes in the values of being a keeper to your neighbour, not walking on the other side of the road when you see somebody suffering. But also those are the London values: helping those who, for whatever reason, may have had a difficult time."

Maria

Maria, not her real name, 20, arrived in the UK from Bolivia in 2022 with her mother and younger brother. She was kicked out of her sister's home in London. She stayed with friends for a year or so, sleeping on couches and spending the occasional night on the streets, until she found out her asylum request had been rejected. Her friend 'kicked her out', Maria claimed, and decided to rent her room.

She said the refusal meant that she would never find an on-the-books job or be able to rent a place, which, in her case, means she would become homeless., in December 2023. Maria has had her belongings taken on multiple occasions and is harassed by passers-by.

She is the only young female in her homeless encampment, and is surrounded by males. Many, Maria said, take drugs or get drunk. She is now saving to pay people smugglers to get her to another European country where visa rules are more relaxed.

Sara

Sara, 24, ran away from home after becoming addicted to GBL, a liquid solvent paint stripper. She lives in a camp at Tottenham Court Road. This is filled with men who have 'serious mental health problems', one of whom 'stole her phone'.

Sara told MyLondon that she used to go to university and had a job. But this all fell apart when she became addicted to GBL when visiting Paris and trying it in the techno scene there. She came back home and was drinking it alone in her room for months.

She had no friends and was alone on her birthday, writing her own card and making her own cake. This year, she was also alone and did the same - only not in the comfort of her room, but on the street in a tent.

Sara added that her sister had a baby a few weeks ago, and she thought holding the purity of a newborn might be a turning point. It has not seemed to turn out that way. Sara told our reporter that she was too scared to hold her nephew because she felt too dirty.

Government responds

MyLondon presented its findings, including the same three case studies shown to the Mayor, to the Government. A Ministry of Housing spokesperson said: “This government has inherited devastating levels of rough sleeping, and we are taking action to get back on track to end homelessness in London and across the country.

“As announced in the Budget, we are providing an additional £233 million of funding to help prevent rough sleeping and future rises of families in temporary accommodation. This takes total spending on reducing homelessness to nearly £1 billion in 2025-26.”

MyLondon understands that a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group across the Government has been convened by the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. This has an aim to decide on a long-term strategy to end homelessness across the country. The capital is also set to receive nearly £2.8 million from an emergency £10 million winter pressures package for rough sleepers.

In addition, London local authorities are receiving almost £200m (£198.8m) in Homelessness Prevention Grant funding in 2024-25.

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