Rise in rough sleeping in London 'shameful'

The number of rough sleepers in London has increased by 18% compared to the same quarter last year

The number of people sleeping rough in London has risen by almost a fifth to a new record - something described as "shameful" by homelessness organisations.

A total of 4,780 rough sleepers were seen on the capital's streets between July and September, according to the latest Combined Homelessness and Information Network (Chain) statistics.

This is an increase of 18% from 4,068 people in the same quarter last year, and up 13% from 4,223 in the period between April and June this year.

A government spokesperson said ministers were "taking action to get back on track to end homelessness for good".

'Put an end to rough sleeping'

The Chain data showed 49% - 2,343 - of those counted between July and September were new rough sleepers.

As part of Wednesday's Budget, it was announced local authorities in England would be given an extra £233m in the 2025-26 financial year to prevent homelessness, which the Treasury said would take total spending to £1bn in 2025-26.

It comes as London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Tuesday a £4.8m investment in supporting people previously sleeping rough, which he said would help them "access financial advice, apply for benefits and use public services to help them stay off the streets for good".

Rick Henderson, chief executive of the national body for front-line homelessness services Homeless Link, said the figures "tell a story of a devastating number of people whose lives are damaged by rough sleeping, failed by systems and policies that are not fit for purpose".

He added that while the new funding was welcome, urgent clarity was needed on how it would be allocated.

"This shameful upward trend cannot be allowed to continue. The new Labour government can and must act to put an end to rough sleeping," he said.

Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said a coherent, long-term plan was required, adding: "It's shameful that so many people are being forced to sleep rough, taking refuge in doorways and seeking safety on night buses."

A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "This government has inherited devastating levels of rough sleeping, and we are taking action to get back on track to end homelessness for good."

A spokesperson for Mr Khan also described the situation as shameful, adding: "The mayor is doing everything in his power to help as many Londoners off the streets and into more secure accommodation, which is why he’s delivered record funding to homelessness charities in the capital and quadrupled City Hall’s rough sleeping budget since 2016, supporting over 17,600 people off the streets to date."