17 per cent more people counted sleeping rough across Wales - Crisis responds

Commenting on the Welsh rough sleeping figures published today that estimated 17 per cent more people were sleeping rough at the end of 2019 compared to the previous year, Jon Sparkes, chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis said:

“No one in our society should be forced to sleep rough. It’s simply inhumane that more people across Wales are known to be on the street, where they are at greater risk of damage to their health, being attacked, and even dying at a younger age.

“It’s no way for people to have to live and there are clearly some short-term actions needed to stop the situation getting any worse. But the only way to end rough sleeping is prevent it happening in the first place and ensure people can be quickly rehoused if they lose their home.

“There are promising signs in some local council areas that better outreach and offering multi-agency support can help. By dealing with the root causes of homelessness and rough sleeping and helping people into accommodation governments, charities and public services can work together to end rough sleeping and homelessness.  While there are no shortcuts, we know with the right measures in place it can be done.”

Notes

• Source: 2 week estimate (through information gathering exercise), of persons sleeping rough. Welsh Government (2020) National rough sleeper count: November 2019 
• Jon Sparkes is Chief Executive of Crisis and is currently chairing the Welsh Government’s Action Group on ending homelessness, which will shortly be reporting to the Welsh Minister for Local Government and Housing on the steps needed to end homelessness in Wales.
• ONS Deaths of homeless people in England and Wales (2018)