A series of initiatives to get rough sleepers back on their feet and off the street has seen the numbers fall in the borough. But some are unable to be helped as easily as others.

Ealing Council works with a range of local organisations to tackle rough sleeping. And, last winter, prevention work helped almost 70 people, with nearly all of them remaining off the streets in the next 3 months that followed. This included the use of rest centres with the help of local services and charities.

Thanks to this teamwork, our borough is in the top 5 council areas in the country for reducing rough sleeping.

However, not all rough sleepers can be helped directly by the council in this way. One-third of them are non-UK nationals who are not eligible to receive publicly-funded support. This is known as ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF). They can’t legally work, rent, or claim benefits, which makes it difficult to support them to get off the streets.

The borough now has one of the highest levels of homeless people with NRPF in London. So, what happens to these people?

‘I can stand on my own 2 feet’

Over the last decade, the council has worked with charity Hope for Southall Street Homeless (HSSH). As well as offering tailored advice and support for homelessness, immigration, and health care, the HSSH day centre also offers guests a free meal and keeps guests connected with vital services and facilities, to ensure continuity and care throughout each person’s journey.

Regular guest Ravi has lived in the area for 18 years, but became homeless 3 years ago because of immigration issues that meant he couldn’t work. The charity has been helping Ravi ever since.

“It was a struggle to find work and I eventually became homeless,” he said. “I was very stressed and became addicted to alcohol. Having personal support prevents me from going back to bad habits. I have now recovered and I can stand on my own 2 feet.”

Another guest, Mehul, has been visiting the charity for 2 years. He said: “It has helped me a lot with whatever I need – like clothes, food, taking a shower, and when I am sick. I feel thankful and appreciative. It’s really nice.”

HSSH general secretary John Murphy has worked at the charity since it started. He said: “The level of rough sleeping in Southall is very distressing, and can leave people very vulnerable to poor health and exploitation.

“There is a deep value in our culture to provide sanctuary, and I believe giving people a sense of self-worth and having things to do makes a huge difference, and can help them integrate back into society.”

A warm response to the cold season

Since November 2024, the council has used winter pressures government funding to help more than 60 rough sleepers into bed and breakfast accommodation for some respite and also, got 20 of them into longer-term housing. And, with extra money from London Councils, the council was also able to provide shelter in a hostel, and immigration advice to 26 vulnerable people with NRPF, helping them to work towards legal status and long-term housing.

Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, paid a visit to HSSH to see its work up close. She said: “No one should face the cold alone. Our council officers work tirelessly to connect local people in need with safe shelter and support. Together with the incredible work of Hope for Southall Street Homeless and other local charities, we want to create a future where everyone has a place to call home.”

Support for rough sleepers

Visit the council website to find out about the support available for anyone sleeping rough.