New figures released today (28 June 2022) by the Combined
Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) show a significant
drop in rough sleeping across London, with 8,329 people sleeping
rough from April 2021 – March 2022. This is a decrease of 24%
compared to the previous year, when 11,018 were seen sleeping on
the streets of the capital.
The reduction in the total number of people rough sleeping during
2021/22 has been driven by fewer new people arriving to the
streets. The data shows a 32% decrease in the number of new rough
sleepers in 2021/22, with 5,091 people seen sleeping rough in
London for the first time. This decrease reverses a recent trend
– there was a 28% rise in new rough sleepers between 2018/19 and
2019/20.
According to CHAIN, it is likely that the overall reduction in
rough sleeping is due, at least in part, to the Government’s
‘Everybody In’ initiative, which saw people sleeping rough
provided with safe, self-contained accommodation as part of the
emergency response to the pandemic. While this started in March
2020, it is thought its impact was masked in the 2020/21 figures
by the high numbers of people sleeping rough at the beginning of
the year.
While the year-on-year figures show a reduction, rough sleeping
is still far more prevalent across London than it was a decade
ago, with this year’s figures 29% higher than those for 2012/13,
when 6,437 were seen sleeping rough in the capital.
CHAIN’s data shows that the most commonly reported reason for
people leaving their last settled home and being forced to sleep
rough was being evicted or asked to leave. This reason was given
by 36% of rough sleepers.
Among those who were sleeping rough for the first time, 825
people were recorded as having approached their local council
within the last 12 months seeking support. Crisis’ own research
into the Homelessness Reduction Act shows that while good
progress is being made, councils are still struggling to prevent
people with multiple complex needs from being homeless and at
risk of rough sleeping.*
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said:
“I’m delighted to see such a significant drop in the numbers of
people sleeping rough in London – the biggest year-on-year
reduction in the last decade.
“This is, in part, the legacy of the ‘Everyone In’ pandemic
initiative, which saw people sleeping on the streets offered a
safe place to stay. This was bold policy making enacted in a time
of emergency, but there is absolutely no reason why such an
approach shouldn’t become the norm. We know that providing people
with accommodation and tailored support is the most effective way
to end rough sleeping and gives people the firm foundation they
need to leave homelessness behind for good.
“We are also pleased to have played our part, with the hotel
accommodation Crisis provided at Christmas and into January 2022
helping to prevent people being forced to sleep rough.
“The Government has committed to end rough sleeping by 2024 – a
deadline that is fast approaching – and yet there are still
thousands of people sleeping on the streets. With cost-of-living
pressures likely to become unbearable for thousands of households
and rents continuing to rise at pace, the challenge is sustaining
progress and continuing to reduce the numbers of people sleeping
rough. The Government must urgently turn its attention to
ensuring we have enough genuinely affordable homes if it is to
keep its promise.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editor
Combined Homelessness and Information Network
(CHAIN) annual report 2021/22 available here.
* ’I
hoped there’d be more options’ Experiences of the Homelessness
Reduction Act, 2018-2021
