People sleeping rough
Tower Hamlets Council works with a range of partners including homelessness charities, specialist substance misuse, mental health organisations, and community groups to ensure people who are rough sleeping are provided with appropriate support, and an offer of a route off the streets.
Our outreach team will have made contact with anyone who is regularly on the street in Tower Hamlets and carried out an initial assessment and offered support.
This support includes:
- Street Outreach Response Team, currently run by St Mungo’s that goes out at night and early in the morning looking for people rough sleeping and providing them with support.
- A Day Centre, currently run by Providence Row, that provides a warm, safe place where people can get a hot drink, breakfast and lunch, a shower as well as access to the internet and phone charging facilities.
Dellow Centre
82 Wentworth Street,
London, E1 7SA
Open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-2pm
Tel: 020 7422 6752
- Addressing complex needs: This includes specialist support to tackle drink and drug addictions, and mental health issues.
- Additional winter shelter: When the temperature reaches 0C or below, London’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated. We work quickly to ensure all people sleeping rough in Tower Hamlets, whatever their circumstances, are provided with emergency accommodation.
Preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place is a large part of our work. You can read more about this in our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
Our key partners
We work with the following charities and organisations to support rough sleepers
Providence Row – a local charity that support people affected by homelessness in East London.
St Mungo’s – a local charity that has been on the frontline of homelessness for 55 years.
Thames Reach – a pan-London service, which we are part of that runs the rapid response service that follow up Streetlink referrals seven nights a week.
Crisis - we have close links with this national charity, which has the Skylight Centre in Commercial street and provides the Crisis at Christmas scheme.
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough
You can refer someone who is sleeping rough to StreetLink. This sends an alert to the local outreach team who will visit the location to make contact with the person. If you any immediate concerns for their health call 999 and request an ambulance.
If you are homeless
Contact us to find out what housing options are available and access help and advice.
You can use our Housing Options Finder to find out what help there is available.
You can also search for local hostels and shelters.
Other information
Homeless Link has a page of research which shows what is happening on the ground, and identifies what is working and what isn’t when it comes to tackling homelessness.
National charities, Shelter and Centrepoint also have a lot of information and guidance.
Anti-social behaviour, noise, and environmental concerns
We understand that some residents may be concerned about anti-social behaviour and noise disturbances caused by people who are sleeping rough. However, we kindly ask residents to be understanding of those experiencing homelessness. If the behaviour of people sleeping rough poses a safety or environmental concern, please see the reporting details below.
Reporting anti-social behaviour and noise concerns
We collaborate with the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams and other local agencies to address anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets.
Our first approach is to resolve issues informally through warnings, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, and interventions such as support and engagement with other services. Each case is assessed, and more formal actions are considered at the appropriate stage.
Byelaws in parks and public spaces
Without Council consent, no person may erect a tent or use a vehicle, caravan, or any structure for camping except in designated camping areas. For more information, visit Byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces.
Environmental protection legislation
The public and businesses can report pollution or polluting activities to the council.
Environmental Protection Officers will investigate, and if permit conditions are violated, enforcement action may be taken.
Serving Community Protection Notices
Community Protection Notices (CPNs) can stop individuals aged 16 and over from committing anti-social behaviour that negatively impacts the community's quality of life. CPNs can be issued by council and police officers if the behaviour:
- Has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
- Is persistent or continuing, and
- Is unreasonable.
A written warning is given first, outlining conditions the recipient must comply with. If breached, a full Notice is issued. Breaching this Notice is a criminal offence and can result in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution, with fines up to £500 for individuals and £20,000 for businesses.