The Council's rough sleeping team work to get individuals off the streets along with partner agencies such as the NHS, Police and social landlords.
The team help some of the most vulnerable in the borough, by managing complex needs in order to keep any existing accommodation.
The road to building up the confidence and self-respect of rough sleepers is not easy, as many reject support throughout the process.
This was shown recently with a male named anonymously as R, who was rough sleeping for the past year, but started engaging when placed in temporary accommodation by the team.
R did not initially disclose that he was drinking heavily.
Despite turning up for appointments, his dependency on alcohol was making it difficult to respond to questions and hold a conversation.
Alcohol was the main challenge for R to overcome, his ambition was to see his children again and when moved to permanent accommodation in Harold Hill, he was seen regularly intoxicated in public.
R’s drinking was becoming increasingly dangerous and anti-social, after being admitted to Queen’s Hospital he was advised by doctors not to drink again or he would die prematurely.
R didn’t stop, within a short time he was back in Queen’s Hospital.
This time, machines were keeping him alive and it was not looking likely that he may get another chance to turn his life around.
After a few weeks in hospital, he detoxed from alcohol and his health was improving ahead of being discharged and moving into supported accommodation.
When back in accommodation, the team arranged for eligible benefits to help ease some financial pressures.
Positively, R remains alcohol free and is now back in contact with his children.
He is also back in contact with his mum, sister, brother and ex-partner who are providing much needed emotional support.
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, please share them via Streelink, a London-wide rough sleeper network that helps in getting them off the streets.
There are also ways residents can help without giving money to rough sleepers directly, such as making a donation to the Salvation Army.