Mike Barrett, chief executive of Kent-based homelessness charity Porchlight, said the council had to try to discharge its statutory duty to the homeless through the private rented sector.

BBC: Medway landlords urged to take benefit tenants

Further north, on Peckham Road, is the small but influential South London Gallery (SLG) and the Camberwell College of Arts, whose alumni include Mike Leigh, a filmmaker, and Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's legendary acid-casualty guitarist.

ECONOMIST: Why I love Peckham

CNN's Ed Payne, Matt Smith, Mike Pearson, Jessica Yellin, Deirdre Walsh, Lisa Desjardins, Ted Barrett and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.

CNN: House approves Senate's fiscal cliff deal

CNN's Mike Pearson, Jessica Yellin, Dana Bash, Deirdre Walsh, Lisa Desjardins, Ted Barrett and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.

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