The Charter | London Charter

The Charter

Please read through the principles and actions of The London Charter to End Rough Sleeping, and show your support by signing here.

The Charter explained

The Charter is a way to get people together around a common goal—to end rough sleeping. The Charter will help us to:

Create a shared vision and enable people and communities to support our goal

Make a public commitment to work together to end rough sleeping

Strengthen the partnerships that are already in place

Provide opportunities for residents, businesses, workers, faith groups, charities and public bodies in London to help end rough sleeping

Communicate what rough sleeping looks like in London and how to best help

Provide transparency, accountability, and a way to monitor progress

Frequently asked questions

Charter principles

Accepting people

Accepting that whilst people sleeping rough may have problems, they aren't problem people.

Prevention

Ensuring help is in place to prevent people sleeping rough in the first place. We need to address the underlying causes and what traps people on the street.

Open-minded

Recognising that everyone rough sleeping is unique, and there should be meaningful options for all, regardless of immigration status.

Partnerships

Working with people who have experienced sleeping rough to develop and deliver solutions.

Helping people thrive

Putting in place the support, community links, and accommodation that people need to thrive.

Safety for everyone

Ensuring that people sleeping rough are safe from violence, abuse, theft and discrimination, and that they have the full protection of the law.

Actions

Sign the Charter

Signing this pledge as an individual, business, faith or community group, charity, or public body, and get others to sign as well.

Give your time and support

Volunteer, donate, or support a charity who has joined this pledge.

Informing StreetLink

If you see someone sleeping rough who needs help, let StreetLink London know.

Educate people

Learn about people sleeping rough and encourage others to do the same.

Acknowledging people

Acknowledging people when they talk to you or ask you for money, even if you decide you would rather not give it to them directly.

Background

The London Charter to End Rough Sleeping started with a small group of organisations and city government officials – the Connection at St Martin’s, Groundswell, Housing Justice, The Passage, YMCA St. Paul’s, Bloomberg Associates, the Greater London Authority and London Councils — who wanted to engage better with the community and build a bigger movement around the goal to end rough sleeping. In May 2023, multiple convenings were facilitated with people with lived experience, rough sleeping service providers, faith and community-based organisations, and business leaders to get their feedback around the Charter. This feedback was used to create these Charter principles and actions.