A new scheme to prevent single people from becoming homeless has been launched in Brent.
Homelessness charities Crisis and Thames Reach announced they have teamed up with social investor, Bridges, and Brent Council to launch a new homelessness prevention service that aims to help 1,600 Brent residents.
Figures published in January 2017 show an estimated 4,134 people were forced to sleep outside in 2016, up 16% on the previous year and London accounts for 23% of all homelessness in England.
According to Brent council in July 2017, there were 2,715 households registered on the council's housing register as homeless.
Cllr Harbi Farah, cabinet minister for Housing and Welfare Reform, said: "Until now we've not been able to give enough help to most single people facing the prospect of homelessness."
Latest news in Brent
"Now, we have the tools we need to get involved earlier and to work with people for longer," Cllr Farah added.
"At long last, we have a real chance to protect more people from the trauma of losing their homes."
The scheme hopes to work closely with Brent-based homelessness charities, including St Mungo's, Advice 4 Renters and the foodbank, Sufra NW London, to tackle rough sleeping in the area.
It will prioritise homelessness among singles and also offer support to couples without dependent children.
The Single Homelessness Prevention Service (SHPS) will initially be based at Brent Civic Centre but the Harlesden Hub, the New Brent Enterprise Centre, and CAB Brent, will refer rough sleepers directly to the SHPS Scheme as it develops.
Brent Council will only pay if the service achieves successful outcomes for single homeless people in Brent.
Social investor Bridges will take the financial risk of success rather than council tax payers.
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