The London Assembly Housing Committee has released
new statistical analysis today on rough sleepers
in London following the publication of statistics from the Combined
Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) showing levels of
rough sleeping in April to June 2020. This follows analysis last
week that showed a 21 per cent increase in rough sleeping in London
this year.
These figures are even more stark when set against the eviction ban
coming to an end, having been extended by four weeks a month
ago.
Our data analysis found:
- There were 4,227 rough sleepers in London from April-June
2020 – a 33 per cent increase on the same period last year, and a
63 per cent increase from two years ago.[2]
- In terms of boroughs: Barking & Dagenham has seen the
highest percentage increase of rough sleepers – a 933 per cent
increase from the latest quarter (April-June 2020) to the same
period last year (62 from 6).
- Other notable increases include: Hounslow, which has seen a
258 per cent increase (86 from 24), Enfield with a 255 per cent
increase (110 from 31), and Wandsworth with a 253 per cent
increase (166 from 47)
- There has been an 82 per cent increase in rough sleepers aged
between 18-25 in the latest quarter from the previous year (447
compared with 246).
- There has been a 15 per cent decrease in the number of rough
sleepers from Romania from the latest quarter to the previous
year (343 from 405).
- There has been a 31 per cent increase in rough sleepers with
mental health support needs in the latest quarter from the
previous year (1,220 from 934).
- And there has been a 36 per cent increase in male rough
sleepers from the latest quarter from the previous year (3,577
from 2,628).
AM, Chair of the Housing Committee,
said:
“Renters in London face increased housing insecurity once the
eviction ban ends. The figures that the London Assembly Housing
Committee has just released look really ominous against this
backdrop because when the time comes this could spell another
surge in the numbers of Londoners being made homeless, and this
could lead to rising levels of people sleeping on the
street.”
“People deserve a roof over their heads and seeing such notable
increases in the number of rough sleepers with mental health
issues and amongst young people is alarming.”
“The Mayor and the Government need to take note and dedicate the
right resources to keep people off the street and in safe, secure
accommodation.”
Notes for Editors:
- Data analysis including borough maps are attached.
- The data was provided by CHAIN – Combined Homelessness and
Information Network.
