Rough sleeping increases by almost 30% in London – Crisis responds

Crisis calls on the Westminster government to establish a cross-government homelessness unit and commit to giving local authorities the funding they need to support people out of homelessness

Figures from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), released today, show that the numbers of people sleeping rough in London from April to June 2024 have increased by almost 30% from the same period last year. The data shows:

• In total, 4,223 people were seen sleeping rough from April to June 2024, up from 3,272 in the same period last year – an increase of 29%.
• The number of people sleeping rough for the first time in London rose to 1,931 in April to June 2024, up from 1,614 in April to June 2023 – an increase of 20%.

Last week the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report examining the effectiveness of the UK government's handling of homelessness since 2017. The report found that homelessness has increased significantly in recent years, while local authorities have struggled to respond due to a significant reduction in social housing. In September 2022, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published a rough sleeping strategy, but the NAO report also found that DLUHC had no strategy or public targets for reducing statutory homelessness.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced new housing proposals with an emphasis on increasing the supply of affordable and social housing. Having long called for 90,000 new social homes per-year to tackle homelessness, Crisis welcomes the government's commitment.

Responding to today’s figures, Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: “It’s shameful that thousands of people are being forced to bed down on the capital’s streets - moving between night buses, or staying awake in doorways and 24-hour cafes. No one should have to face this level of danger. This bleak reality for over 4,000 people must change.

“Sky high rents and a desperate lack of social housing mean that more and more people are unable to keep a roof over their head. Councils are struggling to fund essential support services for those who need it.

“This week the Government has made welcome announcements on building more social and affordable homes, which are desperately needed. But alongside this we urgently need a unit for ending homelessness to be established, backed by the prime minister and engaging with regional mayors, to deliver a strategy on tackling homelessness. This would provide overdue co-ordination across government to bring us closer to a future free from homelessness. We stand ready to work with the government to achieve this.”

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