I have noticed a considerable increase over the last year, I think the problem lies with the over generous Claphamites, word gets around there is a good living to be  made  by the  naive locals by sitting outside Sainsbury's or under the  ATM. 
I'll never forget the day I was waiting for a m8 outside Sainsbury's near where the  bearded man and  dog lay, somebody dropped him a £1 coin just as the 'so called' vagrant's  mobile phone rang!!! he looked embarrased then stood up to the corner of the wall and answered it, If I was generous enough I'd buy him a top up card  :0)                 

They are a pain in the arse... so are the  Albanians  hogging the coffee shop tables sharing 2 expresso's between 4 of them and drunk australians   every weekend taking over the beer garden at the Falcon North pub and alex.... soon the Sun again!!.... Okay had my rant for the day..

Dont get me started on Australians! Why are they all so loud ??

But it needs the concerted effort of the homelessness and mental health charities and the local council to  address homelessness issues. i'm not sure what Lambeth's Council's priorities are. It seems to  focus solely in running and maintaining its social housing stock  but does very little about addressing the social issue of homelessness. Alternatively Lambeth could go the easier way of Wandsworth - ship the poor vagrants to Thornton Heath,  relocate  the poor, sell off the council housing stock  and  repopulate the area with more desirable elements