Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Winter Rough‑Sleeping Relief Rally
London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, kicked off the city’s yearly winter campaign to fight rough sleeping, urging every Londoner to chip in and help end this growing crisis.
The Big Picture
With the cost‑of‑living crisis pushing more people into the streets, the Mayor stresses now has never been a more crucial time to support charities that help the homeless. He’s teamed up with TAP London to raise funds that keep frontline services afloat during the toughest months.
What the Numbers Say
- Since 2017, Londoners have donated over £700 000 to rough‑sleeping charities, fueling essential projects.
- The GLA rough‑sleeping budget surged from £8.45 million (Sadiq’s first year) to £36.3 million in 2023/24 – more than quadruple.
- Thanks to the Mayor’s “In for Good” approach, >75 % of recipients avoid returning to the streets.
- Since 2016, over 16,000 rough sleepers have been pulled off the streets, and more than 5,000 have moved into safe homes since 2021.
How You Can Help
Londoners can drop cash at any of the 35 TAP points (including Waterloo, Victoria, London Bridge, and Liverpool Street) or online. Use the StreetLink website to connect anyone you spot on the street with local support.
Donations and What They Buy
- £10 buys a kettle and mugs for a freshly grounded home.
- £20 provides a smartphone for a rough sleeper to stay in touch with an outreach worker.
- £50 covers two nights of lodging for someone in a temporary housing scheme.
- £500 funds two weekly outreach sessions to locate and support rough sleepers.
Mayor’s Message
“This festive season, while many of us enjoy Christmas shopping, countless Londoners face a bleak winter on the streets. I ask each Londoner to consider donating a few pounds to our winter campaign so that charities can keep saving lives. Ending rough sleeping has been my priority ever since I took office, which is why I’ve quadrupled the budget and doubled efforts to help the 16,000 people we’ve taken off the streets.”
The Mayor also highlights his record funds to homelessness charities, especially the Peter Bedford Scheme, which received £2.3 million to purchase, renovate and occupy 21 homes in Newham for former rough sleepers.
Why Government Action is Still Needed
Despite the city’s massive efforts, the cost‑of‑living crisis, lack of housing and weak eviction protection continue to push more people onto the streets. The Mayor warns that without national policy shifts, his mission to end rough sleeping may become impossible.
Latest data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) shows a 12 % rise in rough sleepers across London in the past year.
Join the Cause
Head to a TAP point or visit the website to donate today – every pound brings a Londoner closer to a safer, warmer winter.
