The latest CHAIN stats show a massive increase in the number of rough sleepers in London. Here, Emma Haddad, CEO of St Mungo’s discusses the statistics and what St Mungo’s is calling for on the eve of a general election.
“With a week to the polls, today’s statistics that show 11,993 people slept rough on the streets of London last year will I’m sure be of as much concern to voters as they are to St Mungo’s. We are urging whoever forms the next government to treat homelessness as an emergency and prioritise it in their first 100 days.
Rough sleeping in London has now increased by a massive 44% since 2022.
This week we sent an open letter to party leaders with over 50,000 signatures calling for a commitment to extend funding that is critical to help rising numbers of rough sleepers. This will be a crucial first step. Homelessness is complex but it can be prevented by targeting the causes, intervening early and investing in the right approaches.”
Headline Stats:
- The total of 11,993 rough sleepers in London is the highest annual figure recorded on CHAIN since reporting by City Hall started in 2014.
- There has been a 44% increase in the total number of rough sleepers in London in just two years. This is compared to 2021/22 when figures reduced significantly (to 8,329) over the pandemic during the Everyone In initiative.
- There has been a 58% increase in the total number of rough sleepers in London in 10 years (from 7581 in 2014-15).
- St Mungo’s six priorities for a new government to end homelessness are outlined here.
