Over 500 Greenwich residents signed a letter to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting for additional Royal Borough of Greenwich funding in order to fix an ongoing living crisis in the past 10 months.

According to The Royal Borough of Greenwich, local government has seen a 50% drop in government funding (£150 million) since 2010. Due to recent high inflation rates, the borough has faced payment of £11 million more than this time last year in various services and another £19 million in allocating temporary accommodation.

“We are also seeing more and more residents struggling to put food on their tables and heat their homes.”

Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Homelessness levels have risen higher than ever before, counting at 1,880 homeless households in temporary and emergency housing this year, which is 13.5% more than last year. London is currently facing a housing crisis due to a lack of funding in new construction.

The council has faced backlash from Greenwich citizens for purchasing pre existing homes and hotel rooms rather than contributing money to building new houses. The council has overspent millions of pounds placing people in Travelodges instead of building new houses. Greenwich council has only been building around 100 homes a year.

Government cuts have not only highly affected the housing crisis, but also school funding, environmental resources, communal group activities, safety services, and healthcare.

Councilor Anthony Okereke stated “we cannot be put in a position where, due to decisions made by successive governments, we are having to consider what services we must cut.”

Over 2,000 Greenwich households are in temporary accommodation, reaching higher numbers than ever. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has announced six new pledges to improve the wellbeing of those in housing danger:

• £740,000 to our Emergency Support Scheme (ESS), to support residents during unexpected hardship and so we can intervene on behalf of households in temporary hotel accommodation unable to access hot food. 
• Over £3.1million in cash payments to families on free school meals, children under the age of five, care leavers, residents with Nil Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and those on low income with a disability. 
• £400,000 to Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA) to tackle food insecurity by buying food to stock local foodbanks and food pantries 
• £100,000 to Charlton Athletic Community Trust to deliver our Stay Warm and Stay Safe scheme, and LiveWell Greenwich which signposts and supports residents in managing their health and wellbeing. Both organisations also support residents struggling with fuel costs. 
• £100,000 will be used to fund community groups hoping to open a Warm and Welcoming space for Royal Greenwich residents. 
• £150,000 will strengthen our Money Advice Team to ensure those needing emergency support or in financial crisis get the advice they need on maximising income, budgeting and spending less.