Inside Snow Hill Court: supporting people’s first step off the streets
6 November 2025
The centre provides 28-day accommodation and assessments for people coming directly from the streets in the City of London
Snow Hill Court plays a vital role in supporting people sleeping rough in the City of London. The 14-bed assessment centre provides 28-day accommodation while assessing people’s needs and helping them take the first step towards stability and independent living.
Claudia Groß, a Senior Practitioner at the service, describes it as “one of the most important parts of the pathway,” explaining that people arrive at Snow Hill Court directly from the street. Unlike hostels, where referrals and assessments are already in place, Snow Hill Court begins the process from scratch, carrying out assessments within 48 hours, identifying risks, and planning tailored support.
“Sometimes they haven’t been seen by a doctor in many years,” Claudia says. The team works closely with partners to ensure people receive the right support. There is aGP on site every Wednesday, and Turning Point runs a weekly clinic for those needing support with substance and alcohol use.
Linking with the City outreach team
Referrals to Snow Hill Court come through the City Outreach Team, also run by Thames Reach, who engage directly with people sleeping rough across the City of London. The centre and outreach team work closely together to ensure people move on within the 28-day target. “Sometimes a local authority will email in the morning with a property offer for that same day,” Claudia explains. “We go above and beyond to make sure people can take up those opportunities safely and with support.”
In September alone, six people were supported to move on into independent accommodation or reconnect with local pathways. The team also helps with practicalities such as moving belongings, setting up housing benefits, and navigating local housing systems.
The service currently has 12 beds for people with recourse to public funds and two for those without, allowing the team to focus on providing tailored support to everyone who comes through the doors. “Our team is very committed and works hard to make sure everyone gets the support they need,” Claudia says.
She adds, “They’re compassionate and go above and beyond. They really live Thames Reach’s motto of not giving up on people.”