London’s status as one of the world’s wealthiest capitals stands in stark contrast to the tent encampments that have emerged across its centre, a visible reminder of the capital’s spiralling homeless crisis. Opposite Warren Street Tube station in Camden, around 20 tents are currently pitched, many elevated on wooden pallets to stay dry. Similar sites have been identified near the south-east corner of Hyde Park and in the shadow of the Adelphi Building on the Strand.
Migrants from Romania and Bulgaria, alongside British nationals, are among those living in the makeshift shelters. Last Saturday, a 32-year-old Romanian man living at the site on Euston Road reportedly died after suffering a heart attack. A small tribute has since been set up on a tree, along with flowers and candles. Emergency services are yet to confirm the death.
The plight of rough sleepers is made considerably worse as London plunges into winter. On Wednesday, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan activated the capital’s severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP), which will see rough sleepers provided with emergency accommodation. Boroughs across the capital, alongside homelessness charities, will open additional emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough in conditions deemed to be a risk to life.
Stefan, originally from Ukraine, has been living at the Euston Road camp. He moved to the UK 25 years ago and worked in construction until an injury left him unable to work. “When it’s warm and there’s no rain, I’m okay,” he said, “but now it’s cold [...] my infection is coming back. I’m waiting for an operation on my knees.” He said charity workers come twice a week, but on other days, it is just “lucky” if anyone stops by to hand out supplies.
Another tent-dweller, Kevin, has been at the site since May. He said most of the people there are Romanian or Bulgarian. Kevin told The Standard that he mostly keeps to himself, but does speak to an elderly Romanian couple at the end of the row. He said officers from Camden Outreach, the council’s designated homelessness team, visit the site but show little “interest” in him, as he’s not “dependent on substances.”
A Camden Council spokesperson said: “This is not a situation that can continue - we are concerned for the welfare of people rough sleeping here and we take residents’ concerns very seriously. Our urgent focus is on working with partners, including the landowners, to prioritise helping people rough sleeping here rebuild their lives away from the streets.” According to recent figures, 4,667 people were recorded sleeping rough in England on a single night.
