Tower Hamlets Labour calls for local action to match national ambition
Homelessness and rough sleeping doubled under the Conservative Government. In Tower Hamlets, the consequences are visible every day: families trapped in temporary accommodation, rising rough sleeping, and children growing up without the stability of a secure home.
The Labour Government has launched a bold new National Plan to End Homelessness, backed by £3.5 billion of investment over the next three years, marking the most serious national effort to tackle homelessness in a generation.
The plan is shaped by people with lived experience of homelessness and by frontline workers who support those at risk. It focuses on prevention first, ensuring public services work together to stop people becoming homeless in the first place.
A plan that matters for Tower Hamlets
As winter approaches, the reality of homelessness becomes even harsher for residents across Tower Hamlets. Too many families are already living in overcrowded or insecure housing, while others face eviction or unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Labour’s national plan sets out three clear pledges to be delivered by the end of this Parliament:
- Halve long-term rough sleeping
- End the unlawful use of B&B accommodation for families
- Prevent more households from becoming homeless
These pledges are underpinned by ambitious national targets, a proposed new Duty to Collaborate for public bodies, and significant new investment in prevention, supported housing and frontline services.
London will receive over £420 million as part of the £1 billion funding increase for homelessness and rough sleeping services, reflecting the scale of housing need across the capital and boroughs like Tower Hamlets.
Backed by charities and frontline organisations
The strategy has been strongly welcomed by homelessness charities.
St Mungo’s described the plan as “a watershed moment,” while Centrepoint highlighted the importance of targeted action on youth homelessness, which has reached record levels.
Building on Labour’s action for renters and housing
The Plan to End Homelessness follows the passage of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Act, which finally abolishes Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, a major driver of homelessness in high-pressure rental markets like Tower Hamlets.
It also sits alongside Labour’s £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing, the biggest boost in a generation, helping deliver the secure homes people need to put down roots and rebuild their lives.
Labour’s Shadow Member for Housing, Cllr Asma Islam Said said:
“The Labour Government is showing real leadership by tackling homelessness at its roots, with prevention, long-term funding and clear accountability.
In Tower Hamlets, where housing pressures are among the most severe in the country, this plan has the potential to make a real difference. But national ambition must be matched by strong local action.
Homelessness doubled under the Conservatives. Labour is now fighting back with a clear plan to halve rough sleeping, stop families being trapped in unsuitable accommodation, and prevent people losing their homes in the first place.
That’s the Labour difference – values into action. Change will take time, but change has begun.”
ENDS
