In March, as England went into lockdown, the government told local councils to get homeless people off the streets, for everyone’s safety. In London, I could see many people still out sleeping rough, though. I sought to find out what was going on: https://on.ft.com/31hRC66 

The piece draws on the experience of some of the thousands taken into hotels under the bold Everyone In project, as well as some of those who missed out. It also quotes some of those who arrived on the streets for the first time during the pandemic.

I had invaluable help from @HeriotWattUni’s Suzanne Fitzgerald. But I’m also enormously indebted to groups working with the homeless. I got particular help from @ThamesReach, @UnderOneSkyUK, @crisis_uk, @GlassDoorLondon and @bdca247’s @eastendangel.

The piece also mentions the work of @StMungos. I visited the excellent @weareaceofclubs in Clapham but sadly lacked space to mention their work feeding the homeless and helping them to get back on track.

I can only hope the devastation of this dreadful crisis does at least lead to some progress in this field, where there's been so much damage done in the last few years.

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