Rough sleeping support
On this page:
If you’re homeless
- you can find a list of support services across London in Pavement magazine
If you’re being threatened with homelessness
- contact our housing advice and options team
Accommodation
If you need somewhere to stay:
- register with StreetLink – they’ll put you in touch with local services who can help
- get the Streetlink app from the Google Play Store or App Store
- search for local hostels and shelters
Emergency medical help
- if you have had an accident or are in need of urgent medical attention go to Homerton Hospital’s accident and emergency department or call 999
- if you are experiencing mental health problems you can contact City and Hackney Crisis Pathway Services 24 Hour Helpline on 020 8432 8020
The helpline is for people of any age who may have long term psychological issues or who have had a sudden crisis such as a shock, bereavement, relationship issue, etc. They offer confidential expert advice and guidance support and referrals to local services if needed.
If you’re pregnant, have children or you’re looking after someone
- contact our housing advice and options team
If you’re vulnerable due to disability or illness
- contact our housing advice and options team
If you’re a young person aged 16 to 25
- contact Alone in London, a service for young people ages 16 to 25 who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness
- for help getting work, training and accommodation, contact or visit New Horizon Youth Centre
Getting off the streets
You can make a start by:
- contacting The Greenhouse on Tudor Road. Due to coronavirus the Greenhouse is not open to the public, but is operating a telephone only service on 020 8510 4490
- registering with StreetLink – they’ll put you in touch with local services who can help
- getting the Streetlink app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
Immigration advice
- first, check if you’re eligible for help
If you’re a European national
- if you’re a European national or a citizen of another country and you aren’t entitled to benefits (or you have ‘no recourse to public funds’), find out what to do when homeless in London
If you’re an asylum seeker or refugee or you recently arrived in the UK
- contact the Refugee Council or British Red Cross
- visit Housing Rights Information to find out if you can get help with housing, benefits or what to do if you’re destitute
- contact Hackney Migrant Centre
Severe weather
If you’re sleeping rough in Hackney and the weather’s expected to reach 0°C or lower, we’ll make every effort to provide emergency shelter.
During extended periods of very hot weather during the summer the Council provides sunscreen and water and will make shelter available during the day.
How you can help someone sleeping rough
If you see someone sleeping rough, remember to Talk, Tap, Time, Tell
The four steps give residents simple steps to make a positive difference and help people they see sleeping rough.
Talk: a smile or ‘hello’ can make a big difference, to help someone feel less invisible and part of the community.
Tap: help financially by donating £3 to Tap London’s contactless donation points – money goes to the Mayor of London’s rough sleeping fund, which supports local charities. There are donation points across London:
Time: find out about local volunteering opportunities.
Tell: if you see someone bedding down outside, let our outreach workers know via the Streetlink app. Our outreach team will be out to find them and offer accommodation. If you’re worried about someone who’s seriously ill, call 999.
Let your property
If you or someone you know has an unused, self-contained property that could be used as emergency accommodation by a family that needs it, contact the housing supply team on 020 8356 4411 or housingsupply@hackney.gov.uk.
Helping someone who’s begging
You might want to help someone you’ve seen begging. If you do still want to give them food, money or other items, please remember social distancing rules and maintain a 2 metre distance at all times for your safety.
Not everyone begging is homeless and some are involved in organised criminal activity. Some people prefer not to give cash – other ways to help are donating to local homelessness charities or volunteering. We work with:
Antisocial behaviour
Our strategy
We’re doing all we can to reduce homelessness. Our rough sleeper strategy aims to reduce rough sleeping to zero.