We know that homelessness in Kingston is a concern for many of you, as it is for us.
Homelessness is a complex issue, with no easy answers, but there is work going on in Kingston to help those who end up on the street. It’s not always very visible, so we thought we would share the information we have been given around the background of the issue and support available.
This is not a Kingston specific issue, a nationwide crisis has been developing in relation to homeless and rough sleeping due to a number of factors.
The rough sleepers currently in Kingston are a mix of individuals. Some have been in the borough long term, some pass through Kingston quickly, some are new to Kingston, arriving from other parts of the capital or country. Some are British nationals, others from abroad, some with settled status, and some without. They are a mix of ages and genders.
There are 2 main support groups in Kingston, KCAH and SPEAR, and the council have Housing teams who also try to stop residents becoming homeless and support rough sleepers.
KCAH are a charity who run services just out of the town centre in KT2. They run housing support schemes, help people who are struggling with substance abuse and run a winter support shelter. KCAH have identified the need for around 30 beds at an overnight emergency weather shelter, which is operating from January to March 2025, due to the kind support of Riverside Walk, who have offered a vacant space on Thame Street.
SPEAR work throughout south west London providing a range of services, and in Kingston they conduct rough sleeper outreach, visiting people on the streets and trying to get them support to be housed, and more. They often take on complex cases, and also have a Romanian caseworker who engages with the Roma community on the streets. SPEAR are out in Kingston town centre doing these visits weekly. They find there is a percentage of people who don’t want to engage with them or cannot be helped due to persistent substance abuse, pets they want to keep with them, or male/ female couples who do not want to be separated.
Both organisations continue to work with people until they are housed, or leave the borough.
What’s being done by authorities?
Met Police: Homelessness itself is not illegal, so the Police become involved only when antisocial or criminal behaviour occurs. They can also lend support to the support groups or council when dealing with a difficult person who is putting themselves or others at risk.
Kingston Council: The council has a responsibility to address homelessness and rough sleeping and have a strategy here.
The council can issue ‘Section 41’ notices which they can place at unoccupied sleeping locations which have been unused for a period of time – this allows the council to remove any unused bedding via their contractor Veolia and people are not allowed to bed down there when the notice is in force.
What can you do?
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper you can report via Streetlink or the Council. If you are experiencing harassment or anti-social behaviour this is a 999 matter.
We regularly talk to the support services, council and police, identifying new rough sleeping locations and providing support where required, and we will continue to share information with you through our newsletters as and when we get it.
If you would like more information, get in touch with us and James Tompsett (Community Housing, Kingston Council) will be happy to give you more information.
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