Letters

Rough count update

June 6th 2010

Dear Editor,

I read with interest the article on 'Rough count' (April issue, London) and would like to make a small comment. Homeless Link's list of emergency shelters is an excellent starting place to discover severe weather emergency provision, but it is only a starting point. Their list does not cover many of the service providers out there in London. Our own emergency shelter (Whitechapel Mission Winter Nightshelter) has never been listed, even though it has been running for over 130 years.

I can share with you that on the night of the 13 January 2010, we housed 64 rough sleepers, and that was one of our quieter nights. I see from the article that this story is to be followed up and I thought this might be relevant. With thanks for a very useful and informative publication.

Best Wishes,

Tony Miller
Director, Whitechapel Mission

Dear Tony,

Thank you, your letter strengthens a story we'll be repeating annually. With your 64 guests, the total for 13 January was 412 rough sleepers in London - that's 89 per cent of the government total for all of England, 464.

Anyone else with an emergency shelter we might have missed open on 13 January, please drop us a line.

Editor

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