City news has spoken to a long-term rough sleeper to see how those on the street feel about the Andy Burham’s plan to end homelessness and the upcoming winter.
A ‘micro entrepreneur’ working with the big issue explained that hope is low among the rough sleeping community in London.
“Nothing has changed”, said Tony, who had been rough sleeping in London for more than ten years until recently. He didn’t want to give his second name.
He told City News despite the PM aiming to get everyone in by Christmas, people would still be on the streets all through the winter.
“In the winter frostbite sinks in”
With the combined effects of climate change and a ‘supersized’ El Niño, the UK could face more extreme weather this winter.
A study from the Royal Society for Public Health found that people sleeping rough have a six times higher mortality rate from hypothermia than the general public.
It noted that “Damp [has] a compounding role in the effects of cold exposure.”
“Before I used to be down at the bullring, at Waterloo round the roundabout”, said Tony, “But it got a bit out of hand, down there we used to have a gathering and a big fire to keep warm”
Tony, who is now in stable accommodation, also spoke about the pressures of “inflation and the cost of living”.
“It’s a struggle, some weeks I don’t make the rent”
Use of foodbanks has increased by 45% since the pandemic, and Tony explained that when he was rough sleeping he would often rely on them for regular meals.
Charities work independently and with local authorities to provide rough sleepers with medical, social, and housing support, as well as food.
High prices are also affecting donations. The Charities Aid Foundation found as part of its UK Giving Report 2026 that one in five people say they cannot afford to give to charity.
For some charities, the high operational costs are almost existential. Homeless Link stated on their website that despite new government funding “41% of accommodation providers and 46% of day centres [are] at risk of shutting their doors”
Tony explained that “most rough sleepers don’t go to hostels because of the bulls**t that goes with it”
He said he really wants to see rough sleepers “having [their] own flat, [their] own space”.
However, after decades of decline in available social housing, combined with soaring demand, London’s social housing doesn’t have the capacity to provide permanent homes for rough sleepers.
A Mayor of London document outlining a plan for London’s housing stated that “The evidence is clear that affordable housing need in London is high”. It further set a target of 238,430 low-cost rental homes by 2037.
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Standfirst
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Headline“We’re still suffering”
Short HeadlineLong term rough sleeper says "we're still suffering"
StandfirstCity news has spoken to a long-term rough sleeper to see how those on the street feel about the Andy Burham’s plan to end homelessness and the upcoming winter.
A ‘micro entrepreneur’ working with the big issue explained that hope is low among the rough sleeping community in London.
“Nothing has changed”, said Tony, who had been rough sleeping in London for more than ten years until recently. He didn’t want to give his second name.
He told City News despite the PM aiming to get everyone in by Christmas, people would still be on the streets all through the winter.
“In the winter frostbite sinks in”
With the combined effects of climate change and a ‘supersized’ El Niño, the UK could face more extreme weather this winter.
A study from the Royal Society for Public Health found that people sleeping rough have a six times higher mortality rate from hypothermia than the general public.
It noted that “Damp [has] a compounding role in the effects of cold exposure.”
“Before I used to be down at the bullring, at Waterloo round the roundabout”, said Tony, “But it got a bit out of hand, down there we used to have a gathering and a big fire to keep warm”
Tony, who is now in stable accommodation, also spoke about the pressures of “inflation and the cost of living”.
“It’s a struggle, some weeks I don’t make the rent”
Use of foodbanks has increased by 45% since the pandemic, and Tony explained that when he was rough sleeping he would often rely on them for regular meals.
Charities work independently and with local authorities to provide rough sleepers with medical, social, and housing support, as well as food.
High prices are also affecting donations. The Charities Aid Foundation found as part of its UK Giving Report 2026 that one in five people say they cannot afford to give to charity.
For some charities, the high operational costs are almost existential. Homeless Link stated on their website that despite new government funding “41% of accommodation providers and 46% of day centres [are] at risk of shutting their doors”
Tony explained that “most rough sleepers don’t go to hostels because of the bulls**t that goes with it”
He said he really wants to see rough sleepers “having [their] own flat, [their] own space”.
However, after decades of decline in available social housing, combined with soaring demand, London’s social housing doesn’t have the capacity to provide permanent homes for rough sleepers.
A Mayor of London document outlining a plan for London’s housing stated that “The evidence is clear that affordable housing need in London is high”. It further set a target of 238,430 low-cost rental homes by 2037.
A 2024 Freedom of Information request showed Bromley Council had £4.5 million invested in arms companies that year with £1.5 million reportedly linked to Israel.
