Official figures have revealed that there were 4,780 people sleeping rough on the streets of London between July – September 2024. That’s an 18% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023* and a 13% increase on the last street count in April – June 2024 (4,223).
Shockingly, 49% of those reported to be rough sleeping between July – September of this year were doing so for the very first time (2,343). That’s far too many people without a safe and stable place to live.
The Passage is based in Westminster, where street homelessness is at its highest in the city. Between July – September of this year, 988 individuals were seen on the streets of Westminster – representing 20% of the entire rough sleeping community in London.
During this same time period, we welcomed 742 individuals to our Resource Centre in Victoria**, to receive immediate welfare support and housing advice, in comparison to the 637 who accessed our centre in Q1. It is important to note that each unique visitor may have accessed our centre more than once during this time.
Read below for more insights.
Who is rough sleeping in London?
Of the 4,780 people reported to be rough sleeping between July and September 2024:
Majority were men.
- Male: 3,874 (82.8%)
- Female: 798 (17.1%)
- Non-binary: 5 (0.1%)
- Gender unknown: 103
Majority were aged 36 – 45.
- Under 18: 7 (0.1%)
- 18-25: 430 (9.0%)
- 26-35: 1,199 (25.1%)
- 36-45: 1,456 (30.5%)
- 46-55: 1,053 (22.0%)
- Over 55: 635 (13.3%)
Majority were identified as ‘White British’ (26.3%) or ‘White Other’ (17.7%).
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 988 people bedded down in the area. For context, Camden had the next highest rate of rough sleeping, with 298 people seen bedded down between July – September 2024.
The area with the lowest number of people rough sleeping was Sutton (13).
Find out how many people were rough sleeping in your area.
- Barking & Dagenham: 40
- Barnet: 85
- Bexley: 52
- Brent: 215
- Bromley: 52
- Camden: 298
- City of London: 263
- Croydon: 134
- Ealing: 265
- Enfield: 83
- Greenwich: 162
- Hackney: 113
- Hammersmith & Fulham: 167
- Haringey: 131
- Harrow: 25
- Havering: 22
- Hillingdon: 140
- Hounslow: 106
- Islington: 197
- Kensington & Chelsea: 67
- Kingston upon Thames: 60
- Lambeth: 165
- Lewisham: 113
- Merton: 22
- Newham: 197
- Redbridge: 95
- Richmond: 36
- Southwark: 215
- Sutton: 13
- Tower Hamlets: 198
- Waltham Forest: 68
- Wandsworth: 75
- Westminster: 988
July – September 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, Q2: July – September 2024 compared to July – September 2023.
** The Passage Quarterly Snapshot Reports, Q2 2024