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London mayor block-books 300 hotel rooms for rough sleepers to self-isolate
The London mayor has launched a trial scheme in which City Hall has booked hundreds of hotel rooms to allow rough sleepers in the capital to isolate themselves during the coronavirus outbreak.
A total of 300 rooms have been block-booked for the next 12 weeks by London mayor Sadiq Khan and his team, to house rough sleepers who are already known to homelessness charities.
The mayor’s team worked with InterContinental Hotels Group to provide shelter for rough sleepers, who are significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions – including respiratory problems – than the wider population.
City Hall said that rough sleepers are also “far less likely” to be able to follow Public Health England’s advice on self-isolation, social distancing and handwashing.
Mr Khan said: “Rough sleepers already face difficult and uncertain lives and I’m determined to do all I can to ensure they, along with all Londoners, are given the best protection possible.
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“My heartfelt thanks go to InterContinental Hotels Group for stepping up and playing their part in helping protect rough sleepers during this difficult period.”
The government is backing the scheme by providing funding alongside the mayor to book the hotel rooms, which come at a “substantially discounted rate”.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “While [coronavirus] poses a threat to all of us, there is a danger of it disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable people in our society, especially rough sleepers.
“That is why my officials will be working very closely with the [Greater London Authority] to ensure that rough sleepers get the support they need to remain safe and secure at this difficult time.”
The mayor’s team is also working with black cab drivers who have volunteered to help transport people between support services.
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