Written by Dr Júlia Tomás, Human Trafficking Policy and Research Manager at The Passage and in partnership with the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (MSPEC), led by the University of Oxford.
Our new report explores housing challenges faced by people recovering from exploitation and offers practical recommendations to improve pathways to stability.
Modern slavery and homelessness are deeply connected issues affecting thousands in the UK.
Survivors often face complex trauma, stigma, and significant barriers that make stable accommodation difficult to access. Even with policy progress, many are still at risk of homelessness, which undermines recovery and reintegration.
Reports from The Passage have shown that modern slavery is closely related to homelessness, placing the housing sector in a pivotal role for identifying and supporting survivors. Drawing on more than five years of operational experience, our Modern Slavery Service has found that 94% of survivors supported through its programme have experienced homelessness either as a direct consequence of exploitation or in its aftermath.
This new report explores the housing challenges survivors face – especially those who only receive outreach support under the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). Based on survivor testimony, frontline practice, and local authority experience, it highlights how existing systems can exclude people from safe accommodation and recommends changes to better support survivors across the UK.
We are also publishing a supplementary policy brief examining the experiences and housing outcomes of survivors who choose not to enter the *National Referral Mechanism (NRM). This brief explores the unique barriers faced by non‑NRM survivors and sets out recommendations to ensure they can access safe, appropriate, and timely housing support.
Key findings
- MSVCC outreach support is inconsistent.
- Access to MSVCC accommodation may be restricted based on interpretations of housing entitlements.
- Survivors with complex needs may face restrictions when accessing MSVCC safehouse accommodation.
- Local authority responses are inconsistent and fragmented.
- Risk and Needs Assessments sometimes lack trauma-informed depth.
- Statutory guidance fails to reflect lived realities.
- Data and training gaps undermine accountability.
- Survivors are experts in their own recovery.
Our recommendations
The recommendations set out here are practical, achievable, and capable of making a real difference. If implemented, they will strengthen the UK’s response to modern slavery and help ensure that survivors are not left without the housing and support they need.
- Shape the amendment of Chapter 25 of the Homelessness Code of Guidance.
- Clarify the MSVCC Assessing Destitution Guidance by stating it is for pre-Reasonable Grounds decision only.
- Publish housing status data for survivors.
- Embed housing suitability assessments into the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance.
- Introduce “modern slavery” as a recognised category on housing application forms.
- Enforce minimum face-to-face contact requirements in MSVCC outreach.
- Document safeguarding referrals in MSVCC housing needs assessments.
- Standardise survivor-led training for MSVCC support workers
- Scale Modern Slavery Coordinators/Leads nationally
Written in partnership with
This research project was made possible through the support and funding of the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre at the University of Oxford, whose sustained commitment to tackling modern slavery continues to drive meaningful change across policy and practice.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the participants with lived experience of modern slavery. Their insights, courage and generosity have shaped every aspect of this work. By grounding the findings in real-world experiences, they have ensured that the recommendations reflect the urgent need for survivor-informed responses.
We also thank all survey respondents for their time and thoughtful contributions, which have strengthened the evidence base and informed the direction of this report.
Paddy Holt, Resettlement Worker for Passage House, explains the vital function of the project.
We run five of our very own accommodation projects, with each providing specialist support to its residents.
One of these, Passage House, is a rapid-response assessment and resettlement centre based in Pimlico. The facility contains 37 en-suite rooms, providing temporary accommodation for people who have recently begun sleeping on the streets, but have no local connection to Westminster.
The service is managed by The Passage and is dedicated to providing safe, supported housing for brighter futures. The support available to residents at Passage House includes life skills, volunteering and employment opportunities – also wellbeing activities, such as art, poetry and mindfulness sessions.
It is not intended to be accommodation for long-term stays, explains Paddy Holt, who joined Passage House last year as a Resettlement Worker. The idea of the project is for residents to stay for up to 28 days – in which time our staff can work with them to find a sustainable route off the streets – but timescales can be open-ended; after all, says Paddy, the reality is that “even if the work is done, there can be a long wait for accommodation to become available”.
Building trust from the moment someone walks through the door
Fundamentally, he says, the job is about building trust with individuals, a process that begins from the moment a client walks through the doors. “Many of our residents are coming in with quite a defensive and sceptical mentality. So, our job is to break down those barriers to start with. It’s a journey that takes place every day. If you put a foot wrong, that trust can be broken very easily. So, it is about being consistent in terms of presenting the right things.”
There are two chefs on site, and a communal area with a TV where residents can congregate – last summer, the Wimbledon championships became appointment-to-view watching. Every evening, staff and residents mingle over dinner. The connection is essential, says Paddy. “You feel like you are one of the crew.”
“We have a lady that comes in and does poetry, another lady does body realignment, which all the clients seem to confuse as a massage!”
The communal aspect helps erode stubborn and often complex barriers. “There is a sense of safety here,” he says. “A sense of friendship and community – things that when you’re on the streets, you almost block out, to protect yourself. We have lots of clients that come in and are initially cautious with staff, and with other residents. And then, over the weeks they are with us, they engage with us so much more.”
Like so many of the staff and volunteers involved in The Passage’s work, the often-immense challenges are offset by the rewards that come from meeting, working with and supporting people from vastly different walks of life. The job can be intense, he says. It can be hard to leave it at the door at the end of a shift.
But ultimately there is a unifying social aspect to the work; you are doing this for the people. “Before you change the world,” he says, “you’ve got to try and change your hometown, and go from there. And that is society in many ways, isn’t it?”
Saturday 20th December
A moment in history
On Tuesday 16th December,two special volunteers joined us at The Passage Resource Centre to help with the preparations for our annual Client Christmas Party.
Our Royal Patron, The Prince of Wales, together with Prince George, took part in several activities alongside staff and other volunteers, first creating care packages and cupcakes for The Passage’s service users. Next they helped to decorate a Christmas tree donated to us by Westminster Abbey, followed by laying tables and preparing lunch to be served at the party.
This was a very special moment as it marks the first time The Prince has taken Prince George to visit us, mirroring his own experience of visiting The Passage with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, when he was just 11 years old. The Prince talks of these early visits as holding deep, personal significance for him and the inspiration for his lifelong commitment to tackling homelessness.
The Prince and Prince George also spent time meeting Brian and Sarah – two of our long-standing service users – hearing about their experiences of homelessness and the vital support they’ve received here.
“It was important to The Prince of Wales to share with Prince George the work of The Passage and to spend time volunteering alongside the team. They both greatly enjoyed meeting staff and service users and learning more about the charity’s work. The dedication shown not only by The Passage but by organisations across the homelessness sector – at Christmas and throughout the year – is invaluable.” – Kensington Palace spokesperson
Inspiring future generations
The Prince of Wales’s first visit to The Passage with his mother in 1993 inspired his dedication to the cause and later the creation of Homewards, his programme which aims to demonstrate that it is possible to end homelessness.
“I am fortunate to have seen first-hand the tireless work of people and organisations across the sector, the tangible impact their efforts can have and what can be done when communities are able to focus on preventing homelessness, rather than managing it.” – The Prince of Wales
We are proud to be part of a legacy that The Prince is now sharing with his own children – one that inspires future generations to continue this vital work.
A moment in history
“It was an honour to welcome our Royal Patron, The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Prince George who was visiting The Passage for the first time. Just like his father, Prince George wasted no time getting stuck into the various tasks our staff and volunteers were carrying out in preparation for our Christmas party. It was also a lovely opportunity for Prince George to meet with two of our service users who spoke to him about their experiences of homelessness and the difference The Passage makes on a daily basis to those most in need.” – Mick Clarke, Chief Executive of The Passage
Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
We all have a role to play. Join our community today.
Subscribe today to hear about The Passage’s work, events, and appeals – and discover meaningful ways you can stand with people who experience or become at risk of homelessness.
Written by Latoya Gabbidon – a Passage Community and LEA Member, advocate in the homelessness sector, and TEDx speaker.
“I want to encourage you all to be the greatest leader you can be to yourself first. Be kind to yourself first, be courageous in yourself first, develop resilience in yourself first; then those virtues will transcend and transpire to others. And after you’ve done all that work on yourself, it is important that we ask ourselves the right questions… The question is – who else are you willing to give a second chance to?”
“I had to lose, in order to win”
I had to hit rock bottom – not only to find my true self, but to discover my true purpose. Building from my inner traits became my only lifeline. It was fight or flight, and I chose to fight for my life.
The intrinsic values I held onto saved me: resilience, tenacity, courage, and my faith in God. They kept me sane during the darkest moments.
Despite my personal struggles, I knew there was potential buried deep inside me. But as a leader in my own right, I also knew I needed the right people around me to help draw that potential out.
After the trauma, setbacks, and loss I endured, encouragement and positive reinforcement were essential. I needed people who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself.
Failure, resilience and the making of a leader
True leaders are revealed by their ability to bounce back.
Bouncing back from failure strengthens the fabric of who we are – strength that later becomes a badge of honour at the next level. Failure is not the enemy; it is a necessary by-product on the road to success. Failure does not define us. Failure is an event – not who we are.
Trying again and again is a mark of true strength. Without the missteps, the setbacks, and the moments where things fall apart, there would be no story to tell. Yet so often, when we fail, we condemn ourselves. We look down on ourselves instead of recognising that our failures add depth and richness to our stories.
Authentic people inspire because they tell the raw truth.
When we share our lived experience honestly, our stories can transform lives. Others see themselves reflected in our journey. Someone who is on the brink of giving up might find hope simply because they see someone else keep going.
Shared stories of resilience, courage, and survival can change the trajectory of another person’s life.
The power of self-belief and kindness
We must learn to be kinder to ourselves.
Speaking positively to ourselves has the power to produce results that not only surprise us, but also impact those around us. Changing our perception – of failure, of struggle, of ourselves – changes our outcomes.
Every journey of self-discovery comes with ups and downs. Mine led me to homelessness. But that experience, painful as it was, became the path that revealed who I am truly called to be.
From fashion to humanitarianism
I once defined myself through fashion. I loved it, and I created a business rooted in that passion.
However, after experiencing homelessness, my priorities shifted. Fashion is no longer my focus – humanitarianism is.
My desire now is to use my time, energy, and resources to support people experiencing homelessness. The Passage gave me a second chance when I needed it most, and now I want to help give someone else a second chance too.
I once asked a member of staff at The Passage whether they were trained to be so compassionate and kind. They replied: “Anyone who has chosen to do this kind of job should already have a heart of servitude within them.”
That moment stayed with me. You cannot teach compassion – it must come from within.
People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.
Building from inner traits
Being surrounded by positive interactions and reinforcement is especially powerful during difficult times. The right environment brings out the best in us.
Leadership – especially leadership from the top down – should embody values that encourage growth, dignity, and stability.
Building from inner traits describes the journey of cultivating qualities within us long before they appear outwardly. These traits are formed first in the heart and mind before they manifest in our actions.
The mind is a powerful tool. If used correctly, it can produce extraordinary results.
Negative thoughts in lead to negative outcomes. Positive thoughts in lead to meaningful, impactful communication.
I learned to train my mind by shutting down negative thinking.
Purpose, leadership, and a new future
How we see ourselves speaks volumes.
- Do you see yourself thriving?
- Do you see yourself overcoming?
- Can you envision your success?
Even in the darkest moments of my journey, I held onto hope – believing that things would one day get better, even when I couldn’t yet see the light.
Leadership does not require perfection. We may not feel like champions every day, but choosing to remain present, intentional, and engaged still matters.
Fulfilling our purpose requires full participation – mentally, emotionally, and physically. True performance begins in the mind.
Rebuilding and starting over is never easy. But our inner strength and resilience can become stepping stones to something greater. Leadership from within makes it possible.
Today, I am seeing those positive results manifest in my own life. I recovered from homelessness stronger, more grounded, and living a meaningful life.
I am now an advocate and advisor for people with multiple disadvantages within the homelessness sector. And I am proud to say that I am now officially a TEDx Speaker, using my lived experience and new-found purpose as a motivational speaker – inspiring others to become the best versions of themselves.
Read my full story
This blog shares my reflections and purpose – but my full journey out of homelessness began with The Passage.
In my client story, I share in more detail how I experienced homelessness, the support I received at The Passage Resource Centre, and how that support helped me rebuild my life.
Wednesday 26th November 2025
The Passage welcomes the Government’s acknowledgement that reform and efficiency are needed across public services. However, the Autumn Budget falls short on recognising the cost of not intervening early enough to prevent homelessness – a cost borne not only by people experiencing homelessness, but by the wider public purse.
We support the Budget’s direction toward test-and-learn approaches and reinvestment in efficiency savings. These principles are central to our No Night Out (NNO) model, which circumvents the existing system by providing immediate support before people reach crisis. By preventing individuals from rough sleeping entirely, we make public systems more productive for those who use them – and more sustainable for the communities that rely on them.
Current homelessness responses too often activate only after a person has reached a point of acute vulnerability. This is morally unacceptable and economically inefficient. A decade-old estimate from Crisis suggested that one person sleeping rough for 12 months cost the public purse £20,128. Adjusted for inflation, this is now roughly £27,965 per person in 2025*. If rising housing costs and poverty continue unaddressed, these costs will increase further.
In contrast to this, our No Night Out model clearly demonstrates that change is possible. Since launching In 2021, of the 420 people supported into long-term accommodation, just 3 are currently street homeless. Behind each of these numbers is a unique and important story, of how we have helped someone to transform their life for the better.
Health outcomes show the human and economic cost
The 2025 Homeless Health Needs Audit highlights the stark health inequalities faced by people experiencing homelessness. Compared to the general population, people who experience homeless have:
- a higher prevalence of chronic physical health conditions,
- significantly elevated rates of mental ill-health and substance dependency,
- and increased use of emergency services over preventative care.
Of the 3,546 people assessed whilst rough sleeping on the streets of London during Q2 this year, 54.5% had mental health support needs.
This reinforces the case for models like No Night Out, which prevent rough sleeping at the earliest point and reduce pressure on hospitals, mental health services, temporary accommodation systems and police services.
A society that doesn’t punish people for circumstances outside their control
Every day, our frontline teams meet people whose lives have been shaped by structural barriers – rising rents, insecure work, family breakdown, health crises, or migration shocks.
As Rachel Reeves said: “No child should be punished for the circumstances of their birth” – and no adult should be punished for circumstances beyond their control. Homelessness is not a choice. It is the outcome of systems that fail to protect people early enough.
Investment in prevention is not charity – it is public service reform. It strengthens families before they fall into poverty, stops people from ever experiencing street homelessness, and ensures resources are available for those who have already crossed that threshold.
We can lead the way – together
The Passage is already leading the way on prevention. The NNO model shows that early intervention is possible, humane and cost-effective. But to realise its full potential, the Government must address rising housing costs, reinvest in prevention, and avoid policies that simply shift pressure downstream.
As a society, we all have a role in ensuring no one has to spend a single night on the streets. Because when we fail to intervene, the cost – human and financial – is far greater.
We all have a role to play
Subscribe today to hear about The Passage’s work, events, and appeals – and discover meaningful ways you can stand with people who experience or become at risk of homelessness.
*Calculated by adjusting the 2015 Crisis estimate of £20,128 per person per year for inflation at 3.13% per year to 2025, resulting in approximately £27,965 per person.
People become homeless for complex reasons, not because of poor decisions.
Family breakdown, job loss, poor health, trauma, unaffordable rents, or a lack of support after leaving care or hospital – these are the real reasons people lose their homes.
At The Passage, we know that homelessness is not inevitable. It’s preventable – and together, we can end it.
“I lost everything. I ended up on the streets.”
Peter had a steady job in management and had been happily married to his beloved wife for 23 years. Life was good. Then Peter’s life changed unexpectedly. His wife died and he suffered a back injury which meant he could no longer work, leading him to lose his job. Without a wage, in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, Peter’s life became even more challenging as he faced the streets.
The real causes of homelessness
Homelessness doesn’t happen because of bad choices. It happens because of broken systems.
- Financial hardship: The cost-of-living crisis, rising rents, and insecure jobs are leaving many people just one paycheck away from losing their home.
- Family breakdown and trauma: Relationship breakdowns, bereavement, and domestic abuse can leave people with nowhere safe to turn.
- Health challenges: Mental health issues or chronic illness can make it hard to work or maintain a tenancy, and homelessness in turn worsens health.
- Systemic failures: People leaving care, prison or hospital often receive little or no support to find housing.
- Structural issues: A severe shortage of affordable housing, combined with rising inequality, means that for many, there simply aren’t enough homes.
📈 Over 131,100 households in England were living in temporary accommodation – an increase of nearly 12% in one year*. And in London, 4,382 people were recorded sleeping rough in the first quarter of 2025, with nearly half doing so for the very first time*1.
Behind every number is a person, and behind every person is a story.
Nobody chooses homelessness – but you can choose to be part of the solution.
Homelessness is a complex problem – and we know how to solve it.
At The Passage, we combine immediate support with long-term solutions. Every day, we:
- Reach people sleeping rough and connect them to safety
- Support those at risk to prevent homelessness before it happens
- Provide hot meals, showers, clothing and medical care
- Offer counselling, training and employment support
- Campaign for fairer systems and lasting change
In the past year, we’ve:
- Supported 3,000+ people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- Served over 46,000 hot meals
- Prevented 2,200 people from becoming homeless, helping them to find and keep a home.
With your help, we can do even more.
“[Homelessness] is one of those things that you think will never happen to you. But sometimes it does.”
Formerly a Company Director, Philippe lost both his income and his home. In his late fifties, Philippe found myself without a roof above his head, no money to speak of, and in a situation that he had no prior experience of.
“I had to rely on friends and whatever Universal Credit would give me to make ends meet.” – Philippe
We all have a role to play. Join our community today.
Subscribe today to hear about The Passage’s work, events, and appeals – and discover meaningful ways you can stand with people who experience or become at risk of homelessness.
*Office for National Statistics, at the end of March 2024.
*1 CHAIN, Q1 2025
Thursday 21st August 2025
The Passage is delighted to welcome Tottenham Hotspur centre back, Kevin Danso, as our newest ambassador.
To mark the beginning of his ambassadorship, Kevin visited The Passage, where he spent time with clients and staff. He volunteered in our kitchen, helping to prepare and serve lunch, before joining conversations with members of our Lived Experience Assembly (LEA) and Experts by Experience (EBE) group. Kevin listened to their personal stories and showed his commitment to championing their voices.
As an ambassador, Kevin will use his platform to raise awareness of homelessness, challenge the stereotypes that surround it, and support The Passage in reaching more people with our life-changing services. His role will also help strengthen our fundraising efforts, ensuring we can continue to provide vital support to those who need it most.
Reflecting on his visit, Kevin said:
“Visiting The Passage today has been a humbling and eye-opening experience. Meeting people with lived experience of homelessness and hearing their stories has shown me how important it is to challenge misconceptions and offer real support. I am proud to stand alongside The Passage as an ambassador and hope to use my voice to make a difference. Supporting causes like this is very important to me, and I see it as a continuation of my work in Ghana and through my foundation in Austria.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin as an ambassador. His energy, compassion, and commitment to social justice make him a powerful advocate for our work. By amplifying the voices of people with lived experience and helping us break down barriers, Kevin will inspire others to engage with the realities of homelessness and support our mission to end it for good.” – Mick Clarke, Chief Executive at The Passage
At The Passage, we work every day to prevent and end homelessness in London
Through outreach, housing and welfare support, skills training, and employment pathways – we help people to rebuild their lives. With the support of ambassadors like Kevin, we move closer to a society where everyone has a place to call home.
Tuesday 12th August 2025
Westminster City Council has activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in response to the recent Amber Alert, with temperatures climbing above 30°C in the capital.
While SWEP is most commonly triggered during freezing winter weather, in London it can also be activated during periods of extreme heat – when the health risks for those sleeping rough become life-threatening. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause dehydration, heatstroke, and other serious medical emergencies.
As part of the protocol, extra support is now in place for people sleeping rough across Westminster. This includes:
- Increased outreach services to check on people’s welfare
- Distribution of bottled water and sunscreen
- Access to shaded and cool spaces
- Additional emergency beds and extended service hours
The Passage is working with the Council to ensure that rough sleepers – and their pets – can access safety, shelter, and care during the heatwave.
Our Engagement & Outreach Team are distributing water and sun cream across Victoria, whilst regularly checking in with vulnerable clients. We’ve also extended the opening hours of our Resource Centre to provide longer respite out of the sun for those experiencing homelessness in London, and are referring at-risk clients to emergency beds wherever possible.
Extreme weather, whether hot or cold, puts lives at risk – but with the community’s help, we can make a critical difference.
How you can help
Your support can help us save lives this summer. A donation today will help us to continue providing vital help such as water, shade, and urgent assistance to those in danger from the heat.
We also encourage everyone to:
- Check in on those you see rough sleeping
- Offer people water and sun cream
- If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping, but it’s not an emergency, please contact Streetlink. Visit www.streetlink.org.uk or call 0300 500 914.
- Call 999 if you are seriously concerned about someone’s health and wellbeing.
4,329 people were seen sleeping rough on the streets of London in the last quarter*. This is a 4% increase than the previous year.
Each of these numbers represents a person – someone with a voice, a story, and the potential to shape a different future.
Of the 2,014 people sleeping rough for the first time in April – June this year, 72% were helped off the streets after just one night – proof that early intervention schemes like No Second Night Out are making a difference.
“At The Passage, we believe that homelessness can and must be reframed as something to be prevented, not just managed once it occurs. The fact that so many people were helped off the streets after just one night shows the power of timely intervention. Models like our No Night Out prevention scheme also shows what’s possible when we act sooner. Prevention isn’t just possible – it’s essential.” – Jenny Travassos, Director of Housing and Services
View the London-wide demographics of those rough sleeping:
Gender
- Female: 755 (17.5%)
- Male: 3,566 (82.5%)
- Non-binary: 2 (0.0%)
- Unknown: 69
Age
- Under 18: 2 (0.0%)
- 18-25: 366 (8.3%)
- 26 – 35: 1,096 (25.0%)
- 36 – 45: 1,328 (30.2%)
- 46 – 55: 978 (22.3%)
- Over 55: 622 (14.2%)
Ethnicity
- Asian (inc. Chinese): 468 (10.7%)
- Black: 1,072 (24.2%)
- Mixed: 120 (2.7%)
- White (inc. Gypsy/Irish Traveller/Roma): 2,087 (47.5%)
- Arab/Other: 271 (6.2%%)
- Unknown: 374 (8.5%)
These figures represent only those cases where this information was known or disclosed.
In Westminster alone, 879 people were rough sleeping.
Despite progress in early interventions, entrenched homelessness continues to rise – underlining the urgent need for long-term, sustainable solutions. 211 people in Westminster are classified as ‘living on the streets’*1.
View the Westminster demographics of those rough sleeping:
Gender
- Female: 184 (21.3%)
- Male: 679 (78.6%)
- Non-binary: 1 (0.1%)
- Unknown: 15
Age
- Under 18: 2 (0.2%)
- 18-25: 80 (9.1%)
- 26 – 35: 208 (23.7%)
- 36 – 45: 261 (29.7%)
- 46 – 55: 199 (22.6%)
- Over 55: 129 (14.7%)
Ethnicity
- Asian (inc. Chinese): 24 (2.7%)
- Black: 173 (19.7%)
- Mixed: 21 (2.4%)
- White (inc. Gypsy/Irish Traveller/Roma): 487 (55.4%)
- Arab/Other: 64 (7.3%)
- Unknown: 110 (12.5%)
These figures represent only those cases where this information was known or disclosed.
Westminster has consistently been the borough with the highest rate of rough sleeping across the city for many years; a stark reminder of the realities we witness every day at The Passage.
Find out many people were rough sleeping in your area:
- Barking & Dagenham: 41
- Barnet: 57
- Bexley: 44
- Brent: 184
- Bromley: 45
- Camden: 311
- City of London: 259
- Croydon: 194
- Ealing: 204
- Enfield: 46
- Greenwich: 149
- Hackney: 83
- Hammersmith & Fulham: 122
- Haringey: 137
- Harrow: 24
- Havering: 17
- Hillingdon: 177
- Hounslow: 132
- Islington: 131
- Kensington & Chelsea: 84
- Kingston upon Thames: 40
- Lambeth: 178
- Lewisham: 122
- Merton: 17
- Newham: 164
- Redbridge: 96
- Richmond: 26
- Southwark: 200
- Sutton: 5
- Tower Hamlets: 192
- Waltham Forest: 98
- Wandsworth: 61
- Westminster: 879
How The Passage is preventing and ending homelessness
From prevention to outreach, The Passage supports people at every stage of their journey out of homelessness.
Our No Night Out scheme has been recognised by Westminster Council and the Mayor of London as a model of best practice in tackling rough sleeping.
For those who do reach the streets, our Engagement and Outreach team offers vital support and a path into safe, stable housing. We work with people living long-term on the streets, helping them access services, offering basic essentials, and building trust – especially in extreme weather conditions.
Our services are trauma and psychologically-informed, built around the person – not the system. We walk alongside each individual at their own pace, helping set realistic and sustainable pathways out of homelessness.
The true value of Lived Experience
The voices of those who have experienced homelessness firsthand offer powerful insight into what works – and what doesn’t. At The Passage, we listen to and work alongside people with lived experience to shape better services, policies, and pathways out of homelessness.
“We’re driven by a strong desire to make real change in the homelessness landscape. This issue is urgent – it’s an emergency that needs immediate attention.” – The Passage Lived Experience Assembly
*Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) Q1 data: April – June 2025.
*1 Those who have had a high number of contacts over 3 weeks or more which suggests they are living on the streets.
Download the full report: Enhancing Modern Slavery Prevention Within The Homelessness Sector in the UK
Modern slavery and homelessness are deeply connected – and the risks are growing. People without stable housing are more vulnerable to exploitation, coercion, and trafficking.
This landmark report by The Passage and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner explores how and where prevention is working – and where it’s falling short.
It draws on collaboration across all four UK nations and places the voices of people with lived experience of both homelessness and modern slavery at its core. From frontline services to government strategy, the research offers urgent insights into how we can stop modern slavery before it happens, especially for people experiencing homelessness.
Key findings from the report
🔗 Homelessness is a major risk factor: Over 40% of survivors supported by The Passage were homeless at the time they were exploited.
🚫 Prevention is too often reactive: Most current systems intervene after someone is trafficked – rather than tackling the vulnerabilities that make exploitation possible.
🧠 Training gaps leave survivors unprotected: Housing professionals and homelessness teams often lack the knowledge or tools to spot modern slavery and respond effectively.
🎙️ Survivors want to be part of the solution: People with lived experience say education, housing, and involvement in service design are crucial to reducing risk and building trust.
🤝 Collaboration is essential: Joined-up action between local authorities, charities, healthcare, and law enforcement is key to stopping exploitation before it begins.
What the report includes
- A review of 14 anti-slavery and homelessness prevention projects.
- Insight from survivors, frontline workers, and sector experts.
- Examples of good practice from Westminster, West Midlands, Scotland, and more.
- 9 actionable recommendations to improve prevention and support.
This report is vital for homelessness services and outreach workers, housing and safeguarding teams, local and Combined Authorities, anti-trafficking organisations, researchers, policymakers and funders.
Whether you work on the front line or shape policy, this report will help you better understand the connection between modern slavery and homelessness – and what we can do to prevent it.
Want to help raise awareness?
Share this page with colleagues or on social media, tagging The Passage (@PassageCharity) and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (@UKAntiSlavery).
#EndModernSlavery #HomelessnessPrevention
The Passage warmly welcomes the Mayor of London’s newly launched Rough Sleeping Action Plan, which places prevention at the centre of efforts to end street homelessness across the capital.
Several months ago, The Passage set out what we believe is essential to ending street homelessness:
- Investing in what works,
- Leadership and accountability,
- and a radical approach to social housing.
It is therefore encouraging to hear the Mayor acknowledge all of these pillars in his speech and to see them reflected throughout the new rough sleeping strategy.
We are particularly proud that The Passage’s prevention work – especially our No Night Out scheme – has been recognised as good practice and is placed at the heart of this new strategy. For us, preventing street homelessness before it begins is not only achievable but vital.
As we’ve long said, we must shift the narrative: from viewing street homelessness as inevitable, to instead seeing it as something that is entirely preventable.
We therefore welcome the Mayor’s renewed commitment and look forward to working with with all partners on delivering the strategy.
Together we can end homelessness.
We all have a role to play in ending homelessness.
Homelessness is not a choice. Making a difference is.
Between January and March 2025, 4,427 people were recorded sleeping rough in London, including 2,085 new rough sleepers – a slight decrease from the previous quarter*. Encouragingly, 73% of those new to the streets spent just one night rough sleeping, a sign that early intervention efforts like our No Night Out programme are making a difference.
However, 706 people were classified as ‘living on the streets’, highlighting the urgent need for sustained outreach and support for those experiencing long-term homelessness.
A large number of individuals continue to face complex needs; a reminder that spending even just one night on the streets can have a significant impact on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing. Of the 3,550 people assessed:
| Alcohol support needs | Drug support needs | Mental health support needs | More than one of alcohol, drugs and/or mental health support needs | No alcohol, drugs or mental health support needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28% | 35% | 50% | 34% | 31% |
These figures underscore the importance of integrated, person-centred services that tackle mental health, substance use, and physical health challenges together.
“Our No Night Out approach is proving effective, but for those already living on the streets, we must offer unwavering, compassionate support. Ending street homelessness is not only possible – it’s essential. It begins with services that meet people where they are and responds in a patient and trauma-informed manner.” – Jenny Travassos, Director of Housing and Services
Prevention and rapid response save lives – and your support helps us to act swiftly, moving people off the streets for good.
Learn more below.
Who is rough sleeping in London?
Of the 4,427 people reported to be rough sleeping whose gender was known:
Majority were men.
- Male: 3,628 (83.2%)
- Female: 724 (16.6%)
- Non-binary: 8 (0.2%)
- Gender unknown: 37
Majority were aged 36 – 45.
- Under 18: 6 (0.1%)
- 18-25: 471 (10.6%)
- 26-35: 1,204 (27.2%)
- 36-45: 1,317 (29.7%)
- 46-55: 920 (20.8%)
- Over 55: 509 (11.5%)
Majority identified as ‘White British’ (25.8%).
Screenshot taken from 2024/25 Q4 CHAIN report.
The Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), reports on the demographics of those who are found to be rough sleeping during their street counts, to give a greater insight into who this issue is affecting.
Where in London are homelessness rates at their highest?
Westminster has the highest number of people rough sleeping out of all Greater London boroughs by a large gap, with 1,001 people bedded down in the area in the latest street count. Camden has the next highest rate of rough sleeping, with 339 people seen bedded down between January – March 20256.
The area with the lowest number of people rough sleeping was Sutton (9).
Live in London? Find out how many people were rough sleeping in your area.
- Barking & Dagenham: 44
- Barnet: 52
- Bexley: 48
- Brent: 187
- Bromley: 40
- Camden: 339
- City of London: 257
- Croydon: 124
- Ealing: 283
- Enfield: 69
- Greenwich: 133
- Hackney: 62
- Hammersmith & Fulham: 114
- Haringey: 112
- Harrow: 28
- Havering: 14
- Hillingdon: 165
- Hounslow: 103
- Islington: 136
- Kensington & Chelsea: 81
- Kingston upon Thames: 42
- Lambeth: 147
- Lewisham: 89
- Merton: 17
- Newham: 164
- Redbridge: 90
- Richmond: 26
- Southwark: 195
- Sutton: 9
- Tower Hamlets: 175
- Waltham Forest: 96
- Wandsworth: 58
- Westminster: 1,001
January – March 2025.
Outreach teams across London record this information. So, it is worth noting that this report does not include people from “hidden homeless” groups such as those “sofa surfing” or living in squats, unless they were also been seen bedded down on the streets.
Prevent someone from a night on London’s streets, helping them into emergency accommodation.
A donation of £75 could save someone from rough sleeping, protecting them from the dangers it poses*[2].
*Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) report, Q4 2024/25: January – March 2025.
*[2]The cost of one night of emergency accommodation via our No Night Out programme costs approximately £75 per person.
The Kings Scholar Passage (KSP) Community Garden Project began in early 2020 when a small group of neighbours – led by Sarah and Bridget – decided to add some much-needed greenery to the area.
With the support of The Passage CEO, Mick Clarke and the participation of Vivene Malcolm, a Support Worker from our Montfort House accommodation project, the initiative took off.
Clients and staff from The Passage, along with residents of Carlisle Place – including teenagers stuck at home during lockdown – joined the outdoor gardening sessions. The group has benefitted enormously from generous donations of pots, plants, soil and gravel from local residents and businesses keen to support us.
Today, a space that was neglected is brimming with beautiful pots with lush plants that soften the look of the brick walls and lift the spirits.
– Sarah and Bridgit with Viv, centre
Following its success, Viv helped set up raised beds in our roof garden, where Montfort House residents are growing fruit and vegetables.
Boosting wellbeing and strengthening connections
The gardening project has continued to flourish and the people we support are reaping the benefits. There’s a proven link between gardening and wellbeing, and growing things gives our residents an interest outside themselves. By observing the lifecycle of plants, they see the importance of change and how everything has a beginning and an end.
Viv’s ‘adopt-a-plant’ scheme – where clients take ownership for a plant – has proved to be particularly valuable. Steve found adopting strawberries helped him process the death of his mother. Reporting on his strawberries’ progress has helped him to engage with his family in a positive way.
Similarly, Alex has been able to honour the memory of his dad through his adopted chilli peppers – a vegetable his father loved. Jade had a simpler motivation. She loves cooking with potatoes so by adopting them she’s been able to enjoy both life-enhancing hobbies.
Local relationships have thrived too. Working together helped us connect with our neighbours and given them a deeper insight into the work we do.
“My role at The Passage has really shown me that anyone can find themselves homeless and we can help get people back on their feet.” – Vivene Malcolm, Support Worker at Montfort House.”
Insights from our Lived Experience Assembly member, Jonathan.
“I have been actively involved in the Lived Experience Assembly (LEA), and previously the Experts By Experience team since 2023.
It feels that the challenge of homelessness can be tackled by building on The Passage’s achievements to date. The aim of our new strategy is to end homelessness, and ensure that the people who we help off the streets, never have to go back there.
We know that we can’t do this unless everyone in the community – from professionals to people experiencing homelessness – collaborate.
The LEA helped shape the strategy by sharing our views on how to find new ways to improve outcomes for The Passage’s service users. We know what works well, and what needs to change, including public perceptions, and working to integrate back into the community, from our own lived experience.
Unfortunately, homelessness numbers keep growing, through circumstances beyond our control and we have to be ready to adapt to those challenges. At The Passage, all staff and senior management should be extremely proud of their efforts to ease our clients’ journey and address their homelessness, even though it seems like an uphill challenge.”