London rough sleeping figures surge by over 20%

The number of people sleeping rough in the capital has risen dramatically by over 20% – an increase condemned as ‘categorically terrible’.

A total of 10,053 people were recorded sleeping rough in London in 2022/23, according to the CHAIN homelessness database’s annual report. This represents a 21% increase on the previous year.

CHAIN also recorded a 26% annual increase – or 6,400 people – on the number of people sleeping rough for the first time.

Over the last 10 years, the number of people recorded as sleeping rough has risen year on year, with the exceptions of 2017/18, and 2021/22.

Responding to the statistics, Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: ‘A 21% surge in the number of people forced to sleep rough in our capital city is categorically terrible.

‘Everyone deserves a safe place to live and the support they need to keep it. However, this latest London data adds to our fears that the Government is going backwards on its pledge to end rough sleeping in England by 2024.’