London’s rough sleeping crisis hits record high, councils warn

London is facing a rough sleeping crisis as new data shows that the number of people sleeping on the streets has reached a record high.

According to the latest figures from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), 4,068 people were counted sleeping rough in London between July and September 2023.

This is a 12% increase on the same period in 2022 and the highest quarterly count since records began.

London Councils, which represents the 32 boroughs and the City of London, warns that the situation is ‘spiralling out of control’ and urges the government to take urgent action to prevent a bleak winter for thousands of homeless people in the capital.

‘London’s worsening homelessness crisis’

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ executive member for regeneration, housing and planning, said: “This spike in rough sleeping numbers is the latest evidence of London’s worsening homelessness crisis.

“After several years of solid progress in reducing rough sleeping, it is devastating to see rough sleeping skyrocket to a record high.

“Local support services are under immense pressure and the situation is spiralling out of control.”

He added: “Tackling rough sleeping requires a range of policy measures, as well as close partnerships between different agencies and long-term funding commitments for the frontline services keeping people off the streets.

“The government must work with councils and other key partners to address these matters urgently, otherwise this winter looks set to be extremely bleak.”

Main factors driving the increase in rough sleeping

One of the main factors driving the increase in rough sleeping is the rise in the number of people leaving Home Office accommodation after receiving decisions on their asylum applications.

While this is positive for applicants, boroughs say that adequate housing arrangements must be in place to avoid refugees and asylum-seekers becoming homeless.

London Councils is calling for the government to extend the 28-day ‘move on’ period, during which newly recognised refugees are expected to move out of Home Office accommodation and into new housing arrangements.

Boroughs say a 56-day period and improved financial support would help ensure these individuals have adequate housing and do not resort to sleeping rough.

Most severe homelessness challenge in the country

London is facing the most severe homelessness challenge in the country, with rough sleeping the most visible, but there is an estimated 170,000 homeless Londoners living in temporary accommodation.

This equates to one in 50 residents of the capital and includes one in every 23 children.

London Councils is seeking wider policy action to address these homelessness pressures, including an uplift in Local Housing Allowance housing benefit for low-income private renters and a boost to Homelessness Prevention Grant funding for local support services.

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