Homeless Health Services
A person does not need to be sleeping rough to be considered homeless. Whatever your circumstances, a Homeless Health Service is available.
Who is considered Homeless?
A person does not need to be sleeping rough to be considered homeless. The Housing Act 1996 defines a person as homeless if they either:
- have no accommodation available to occupy
- are at risk of violence of domestic abuse
- have accommodation but it is not reasonable for them to continue to occupy it
- have accommodation but cannot secure entry to it
- have no legal right to occupy their accommodation
- live in a mobile home or houseboat but have no place to put it or live in it
People are considered threated with homelessness if:
- it is likely that they will become homeless within 56 days
- They have given a valid section 21 notice in respect of their only accommodation, and the notice expires within 56 days.
How do I connect people sleeping rough with support service?
If you have seen someone sleeping rough and want to connect them with support services, you can refer to StreetLink. StreetLink will request the location where the person is rough sleeping, the time they were/are at that location, plus any additional information that will help the team identify the individual, such as a physical description.
How do I connect adults who are homeless or threatened with homelessness?
The person should register with Westminster Council Housing Solutions at the earliest opportunity using this Housing Advice Form. The service will normally get in contact within 24 hours. Anyone having difficulty completing the Housing Advice form can call 020 7641 1000, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (12pm-5pm on the first and last Wednesday of the month). The out of hours emergency housing service can be contacted on 0207 286 7412 during evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
If the adult is homeless today, they should be advised to attend the appropriate assessment centre:
Single adults should be advised to attend The Passage, King Scholars Passage, London SW1P 1RN. Weekends 10am to 3pm (1pm to 3pm on Thursdays)
Families should be advised to attend 82 Bruckner Street, London W10 4EY. Weekdays 10am to 4pm (12noon to 4pm first and last Wednesday of the month)
How to I connect young people aged 17 or under who are homeless, threatened with homelessness, or not safe in their home?
Please contact the Access to Children’s Services team by calling 020 7641 4000 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday) or emailing AccesstoChildrensServices@westminster.gov.uk. Outside of office hours, please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 020 7641 2388 (outside of office hours).
The London Youth Gateway runs a pan-London outreach team, who provide support for young people aged 18-25 who are sleeping rough in any London borough. The service accepts self-referrals only. To make a self-referral, please click here.
What Homeless Health Services are available?
- Groundswell Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA)
| Groundswell’s volunteer Peer Advocates support clients to attend and understand health appointments, to make choices about their health, and to find out information about health and health services. They give practical support in attending follow ups and hospital stays, and can assist with travel costs if needed. | Click here to access the Self-referral form |
- Central London Community Healthcare Homeless Health Service
| An open access, outreach service which takes primary care into non-NHS settings. In Westminster, the service provides street outreach, drop-in clinics at Connections at St Martin’s and The Passage day centre. The service delivers in-reach clinics and case management at Edward Alsop Court and the Harrow Road Assessment Centre. It delivers counselling services at Great Chapel Street Medical Centre, the Dr Hickey Surgery, and the Marylebone Project. | More information about the service is available here. |
- Homeless Health Teams – Hospital Based
| The Hospital Homeless Health teams support Imperial College Healthcare inpatients who are homeless or threatened with homelessness during their hospital stay. They connect inpatients with appropriate services and work towards securing a safe discharge destination. The Inner North West London team is based at St Mary’s Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital. | Inner North West London team at Imperial can be contacted on 020 3312 5996. |
What Day Centres or Drop-Ins are available?
- The Passage: St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1NL Tel: 020 7592 1850
| 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 3:30pm Monday to Friday | Guests need to be assessed and agree to ongoing support and engagement if they wish to access the available services: Clothing Bank, Free Food (breakfast and lunch), Laundry, Showers, Toilets. Housing, benefits and employment advice. Mental health and substance misuse support, Nurses and GP services. A variety of support groups. |
- The Connection at St Martin’s: 12 Adelaide Street, London WC2N 4HW Tel: 020 7766 5544
| 9am – 3pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday | General drop-in, Showers, Computer access. |
| 10am – 1:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday | Free Hot Food service |
| 9am – 2:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday | Laundry (12 spaces per day, 1 wash per person per week) |
| 9:15am – 12pm Wednesday | Women-only drop-in, Free food (breakfast), Laundry, Showers |
- The Sanctuary at the Marylebone Project: Bradbury House, 1-5 Cosway Street, London NW1 5NR Tel: 0203 959 1444
| Open 24/7/365, to women only | Women only drop-in service offering: Clothing Bank, Free Food, Laundry, Showers, Storage, Computer access, Postal ‘care of’ address, Health and Sexual health services, Counselling, and support with Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse. |