London Mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled an unprecedented £10 million investment to address the city’s rough sleeping crisis, marking the largest single funding package ever allocated by a

London mayor. This additional support aligns with his commitment, in collaboration with the Government, to eradicate rough sleeping in the capital by 2030.

Expanding support networks

With a 20% annual rise in first-time rough sleepers reported in City Hall data, this funding will enhance London’s rough sleeping response by expanding the ‘Ending Homelessness Hubs.’ These hubs serve as secure spaces where individuals new to rough sleeping can receive immediate professional assessment and long-term support plans.

Building on the success of the city’s four ‘No Second Night Out’ (NSNO) hubs operated by the charity St Mungo’s, the investment will provide round-the-clock specialist care. Services include reconnecting people with family and friends, financial and housing support, and mental health assistance.

Strengthening prevention efforts

For the first time, the new funding will integrate a prevention-focused approach, allowing professionals to intervene before individuals experience their first night on the streets. Referrals from day centers and trusted partners will help at-risk individuals access support before they become homeless. The initiative includes the establishment of an additional Ending Homelessness Hub in early 2026, increasing support for 500 more people annually.

Long-term housing solutions

The funding will also bolster the Mayor’s ‘Homes off the Streets’ initiative, ensuring more individuals have access to long-term housing solutions. This includes expanding the ‘Housing First’ model, which provides immediate, condition-free housing for chronically homeless individuals, helping them rebuild their lives sustainably.

A shared mission to end rough sleeping

This announcement precedes the Mayor’s forthcoming Rough Sleeping Plan of Action, set for release in spring 2025, which will outline the funding and strategies required to achieve the 2030 goal.

During a visit to an NSNO hub in South London, Sadiq Khan reaffirmed his dedication to working with the Government, local authorities, and the homelessness sector to implement lasting solutions. He emphasized the need for collective action from sectors including health, housing, and social care, supported by increased investment.

Since taking office, Khan has quadrupled City Hall’s rough sleeping budget to £36.3 million in 2023/24—more than four times the £8.45 million budgeted in 2016. His administration’s efforts have helped 18,000 people off London’s streets, with 75% remaining housed long-term.

With this historic investment, Sadiq Khan is reinforcing his commitment to making London a city where no one is forced to sleep rough.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m committed to putting London on a pathway to ending rough sleeping for good by 2030, which is why today I’m delivering an additional £10m in funding – the biggest ever single investment – to help more Londoners build their lives away from the streets.

“Tackling the capital’s rough sleeping crisis won’t be easy, but I’m confident it can be done with strong leadership and a clear vision for how to get there, backed by the Government and wider society.

“My Plan of Action on rough sleeping, due to be published this spring, will build on the huge amount of work we’ve done over the years to tackle this vital issue. As well as taking more people of the streets now, a stronger focus on prevention will help us to end rough sleeping as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.”

The Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, added: “Spaces like the No Second Night Out hub are absolutely vital in our efforts to end homelessness.

“This new funding from the Mayor of London will help to expand services to support people facing homelessness here in Lewisham and across London.

“We are facing a housing and homelessness crisis; boroughs can’t tackle this alone, and we welcome this funding to support councils and charities to help people when they need it most.”

Emma Haddad, CEO of St Mungo’s, said: “With the capital seeing some of the highest rates of people rough sleeping, we welcome the Mayor of London’s focus on preventing homelessness. The NSNO hubs funded by the Mayor and run by St Mungo’s have already made a huge difference in helping people off the streets; the reality is that without somewhere safe and warm to stay for the night, it’s not only life chances that are reduced, but life expectancy as well. This announcement however illustrates that more can be done to address the root causes of homelessness.

“This investment in new hubs will help us be there for people before they end up sleeping rough. Shifting the dial to prevention brings us closer to our goal of ending homelessness for good, meaning fewer people relying on emergency accommodation in an already creaking housing system.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor to turn the tide on homelessness and rough sleeping. Over the coming year, we know that that there is a lot we can achieve together.” Photo by Stephen McKay, Wikimedia commons.