Official figures have revealed a 33% increase in the number of people who experienced street homelessness, compared to the same time last year*. That’s 4,118 people sleeping rough on the streets of London between January and March 2024.
Shockingly, 49% of those reported to be rough sleeping during this period were doing so for the very first time (2,038), highlighting the urgent need to refocus our attention on preventative action.
Mick Clarke, Chief Executive says: “Despite the tireless work of so many, today sees yet another set of appalling figures, yet another rise. This situation is unacceptable and unsustainable, with every single one of these numbers a human tragedy. We are seeing a crisis on our streets, with poverty and despair that belongs to another age hiding in plain sight on the streets of London. This situation cannot be allowed to continue; the sights we are seeing daily on our streets has no place in a civilised society.
In the short term we need more emergency accommodation to stem the tide, and in the long term we need real leadership on this issue and a strategy that moves homelessness from something that is simply managed to something that is prevented from happening in the first place.“
Who is rough sleeping in London?
Of the 4,118 people reported to be rough sleeping between January and March 2024:
Majority were men.
- Male: 3,458 (85.3%)
- Female: 592 (14.6%)
- Non-binary: 3 (0.1%)
- Gender unknown: 65
Majority were aged 26 – 45.
- Under 18: 3 (0.1%)
- 18-25: 364 (8.8%)
- 26-35: 1,193 (29%)
- 36-45: 1,241 (30.1%)
- 46-55: 867 (21.1%)
- Over 55: 450 (10.9%)
Majority were identified as ‘White British’ (24.1%) or ‘White Other’ (17.5%).
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 850 people bedded down in the area. For context, Camden had the next highest rate of rough sleeping, with 341 people seen bedded down between January – March 2024.
The area with the lowest number of people rough sleeping was Sutton (12).
Live in London? Find out how many people were rough sleeping in your area.
- Barking & Dagenham: 28
- Barnet: 72
- Bexley: 34
- Brent: 158
- Bromley: 39
- Camden: 341
- City of London: 260
- Croydon: 124
- Ealing: 259
- Enfield: 63
- Greenwich: 134
- Hackney: 61
- Hammersmith & Fulham: 113
- Haringey: 157
- Harrow: 34
- Havering: 17
- Hillingdon: 118
- Hounslow: 63
- Islington: 143
- Kensington & Chelsea: 75
- Kingston upon Thames: 33
- Lambeth: 163
- Lewisham: 99
- Merton: 22
- Newham: 163
- Redbridge: 89
- Richmond: 29
- Southwark: 162
- Sutton: 12
- Tower Hamlets: 155
- Waltham Forest: 65
- Wandsworth: 65
- Westminster: 850
January – March 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, Q4: January – March 2023 compared to January – March 2024.