Tottenham Library to Host New Homelessness Hub Under Government Mandate
A new Homelessness Prevention Hub is scheduled to open in Tottenham following a decisive move by Haringey Council. The facility, with an estimated setup cost of £338,000, will be situated in the customer services area at Marcus Garvey Library, complemented by a back office at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre.
This initiative comes with substantial financial implications for the council. Officials project an annual loss of nearly £250,000 in income due to the conversion of rentable space that was previously earmarked for expanding the leisure centre's gym facilities.
Government Guidelines Drive Council Decision
Haringey Council emphasizes that this development is mandated by government regulations requiring local authorities to provide at least one face-to-face interview for homelessness assessments in most circumstances. The council currently cannot meet this requirement with its existing service located in the reception of the council building at 48 Station Road in Wood Green.
The decision received formal approval on Monday, February 9th, from Sarah Williams, cabinet member for housing and planning and deputy leader of the Labour-run council.
London's Homelessness Crisis Context
This move occurs against a backdrop of escalating homelessness in the capital. Analysis by homelessness charity Shelter in December 2025 revealed that more than half of England's homeless population resides in London. Shelter characterized the national homeless total of 380,000 as a shocking 8% increase compared to the previous year.
Site Selection and Practical Considerations
Council officials identified the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre location as the most viable, cost-effective, and practical option available. This selection was partially influenced by the highest demand for homelessness services originating from the eastern section of the borough.
The council also noted that the available nearby parking offers a significantly better experience for service users who may need to transport personal belongings in vehicles.
Alternative locations were dismissed based on factors including unsuitable positioning, insufficient space to accommodate the hub, or where building works were deemed excessively costly or disruptive.
Community Engagement and Implementation Timeline
The Friends of Marcus Garvey local group participated in discussions with council officers in November of last year regarding the proposed plans. According to Haringey Council, questions and concerns raised during these consultations were addressed as comprehensively as possible.
Specific details regarding the anticipated opening date for the Homelessness Prevention Hub remain undisclosed. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has requested confirmation of these details from the council, but no response has been provided at the time of publication.
