Friends group warns of 'serious safeguarding issues' over new homeless hub in Tottenham

The new facility is set to be created within a building complex used by a library and a leisure centre, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Marcus Garvey Centre and (inset) Cllr Sarah Williams — Marcus Garvey Centre and (inset, credit Haringey Labour) deputy council leader Sarah Williams

Haringey Council has been criticised for overlooking “serious safeguarding issues” in its plans for a new homelessness support service in Tottenham.

The new ‘Homelessness Prevention Hub’ is set to be opened this summer in the customer services space at Marcus Garvey Library, with a back office at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, which is part of the same complex.

Sarah Williams, cabinet member for housing and planning and also the Labour-run council’s deputy leader, formally signed off the decision to create the new hub on Monday, 9th February, with a projected cost of £338,000.

But the Friends of Marcus Garvey Library community group has criticised the decision, saying the move will put children at risk and permanently reduce already-depleted library space.

In a public letter sent to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Dr Jasmine Taylor, the group’s chair, said the group had raised issues at a meeting with council officers which have still not been addressed.

Dr Taylor said: “The council has overlooked the serious safeguarding issues which would result from this mixed use of the space because of the many children and young people using the library.”

She added: “I have worked with the single homeless in the past and understand the seriousness of the issues they face.

“I also understand that not all single homeless people are suffering from mental health or have drug problems.

“However, because of that experience I know that it is clearly not appropriate to place this homeless prevention centre right opposite the quiet study area in the library.

“Ironically, the council are pushing ahead with this plan, even though they are saying that the priorities in their current library strategy are children and families.”

The friends group has suggested alternative locations for the homelessness hub, including Tottenham Town Hall or “the large amount of under-utilised space in the rest of the leisure centre”.

Haringey Council says it is obligated to create this facility in line with government guidelines, which require local authorities “to provide at least one face-to-face interview for homelessness assessments in most circumstances” – something they cannot do currently with their existing service offer.

Analysis by homelessness charity Shelter in December 2025 found more than half of England’s homeless population were living in London. Shelter described the overall homeless total in England of 380,000 as a “shocking” 8% increase on the previous year.

A council report says the space at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre was identified as “the most viable, cost-effective and practical option” for the new hub, in part due to the highest demand for the service being in the east of the borough.

Responding to the concerns raised by the Friends of Marcus Garvey Library group, Cllr Williams said: “The nationwide housing crisis has hit some of our residents hard. The Homelessness Prevention Hub will support our residents who are at risk of homelessness, for example through no-fault evictions.

“It will improve the support we can offer to families and individuals by providing a dedicated space for them to discuss their needs with us face-to-face.

“The hub will not replace our existing rough sleepers service at Mulberry Junction, which provides specialist and tailored support to those who are already experiencing street homelessness, or sleeping rough. Mulberry Junction remains open and unchanged.

“As with all council buildings, Marcus Garvey Library has a comprehensive risk assessment in place, which includes safeguarding considerations.

“Marcus Garvey is one of the three biggest libraries in Haringey. It already has one of the largest book collections in our borough and stages a multitude of cultural and literary events for the local community to enjoy.

“The new hub will not take any space from the library; there will be no change to our current provision.”

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