The latest report released by CHAIN – the Combined Homelessness and Information Network – has revealed that 4,612 people were sleeping rough on the streets of London this winter. That’s a 5% increase year on year, when comparing October – December 2023 (4,389 people) with the same timeframe in 2024*.
Concerningly, 46% of those reported to be experiencing street homelessness were doing so for the very first time, and 69% of people had complex mental health, drug or alcohol support needs.
This is a particular issue in Westminster where The Passage is based, which accounts for 20% of London’s rough sleeping community.
With over four and a half thousand people without a safe place to call home in London alone, we must come together as a community to tackle this devasting societal issue. Homes are the foundations of our lives, but for so many Londoners, a safe and suitable home simply isn’t affordable.
Across The Passage’s services we supported 1,228 people between October – December 2024. We’re passionate about providing people with the support, resources, and care needed to get their lives back on track, helping those who access our services to:
- prevent them from experiencing homelessness;
- gain financial stability and independence;
- find and keep a home;
- live a healthy lifestyle;
- stay safe;
- and get involved in the local community, work opportunities and more.
Going forward The Passage will continue to advocate for the people that we support, convening with central and local government, the Greater London Authority and partner organisations to bring about real and lasting change. However, we cannot do this alone.
Everyone has a role to play in ending homelessness. Together, we can achieve so much more!
Who is rough sleeping in London?
Of the 4,612 people reported to be rough sleeping between October and December 2024:
Majority were men.
- Male: 3,737 (82.6%)
- Female: 779 (17.2%)
- Non-binary: 8 (0.2%)
- Gender unknown: 88
Majority were aged 36 – 45.
- Under 18: 4 (0.1%)
- 18-25: 410 (8.9%)
- 26-35: 1,155 (25%)
- 36-45: 1,385 (30.0%)
- 46-55: 1,046 (22.7%)
- Over 55: 611 (13.2%)
Majority were identified as ‘White British’ (25.1%) or ‘White Other’ (18.5%).
Screenshot taken from 2023/24 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 945 people bedded down in the area in the latest street count. Camden has the next highest rate of rough sleeping, with 350 people seen bedded down between October – December 2024.
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: 48
- Barnet: 52
- Bexley: 49
- Brent: 149
- Bromley: 34
- Camden: 350
- City of London: 332
- Croydon: 152
- Ealing: 244
- Enfield: 73
- Greenwich: 147
- Hackney: 86
- Hammersmith & Fulham: 118
- Haringey: 114
- Harrow: 28
- Havering: 14
- Hillingdon: 167
- Hounslow: 114
- Islington: 155
- Kensington & Chelsea: 82
- Kingston upon Thames: 60
- Lambeth: 144
- Lewisham: 110
- Merton: 21
- Newham: 204
- Redbridge: 107
- Richmond: 32
- Southwark: 201
- Sutton: 9
- Tower Hamlets: 189
- Waltham Forest: 89
- Wandsworth: 62
- Westminster: 945
October – December 2024.
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.
The Passage is located in the heart of Westminster, providing support to the largest population of people rough sleeping in London.
We run a holistic range of services to those who are experiencing and at risk of homelessness, including:
Prevention
The Passage believe that we need to move away from seeing street homelessness as something that is managed, to instead something that is prevented. That is why we are running new and innovative schemes, like our No Night Out scheme, that intervenes before someone spends even one night out on the street.
Of the 196 people supported by No Night Out recently, 183 have sustained accommodation and are living securely in their new homes.
Immediate Welfare
Located just moments from Victoria Station we provide day-time support to those who are rough sleeping. Our Resource Centre opens from Monday – Friday, providing hot meals, showers, clothing, laundry facilities and appointments with our Resettlement Team – who help people to find a route to stable housing and employment opportunities.
Housing support and accommodation
We also run a Housing Solutions Service, helping those who make a homeless application to the local council, and four accommodation projects providing a mix of temporary and long-term housing.
I’d like to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness
*CHAIN report, Q3: October – December 2023 compared to October – December 2024.
*CHAIN report, Q3: October – December 2023 (567) compared to October – December 2024 (461).