New figures released by the Combined
Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) show a steep rise in
the number of people seen sleeping on the capital’s streets for
the first time (1,700 people and nearly half of all people rough
sleeping in the city) – an increase of 29% compared to the same
period last year. This throws into sharp focus the impact the
cost of living crisis and runaway rents are having on low-income
households and highlights how many have been pushed to the
brink.
Concerningly, the total number of people rough sleeping across
London is also surging compared to the same time last year, with
3,570 people sleeping rough from October – December 2022 - an
increase of 21%.
With social housing stock severely
diminished and housing benefit frozen for the last three years,
there is little to no protection for struggling households who
can’t make ends meet, meaning thousands are being pushed into
homelessness and life on the streets.
Other findings from the data release
include:
-
The number of people seen
intermittently sleeping rough was 23% higher than the same time
last year. We know from our own research that many people move
frequently between unsuitable living situations and
homelessness, including rough sleeping
-
451 people were deemed to be ‘living
in the streets’, despite this being 8% lower than the same time
last year it is an 8% increase compared to before the pandemic
(October – December 2019.)
-
92% of those accommodated between
October and December were placed in either temporary or
emergency accommodation as councils struggle to find long term
affordable homes.
Crisis is bracing for a surge in
demand for its services this year and is urging the public to
donate what they can, as the charity estimates 300,000 households
could be made homeless if no Government action is
taken.
Responding to the figures Matt Downie,
Crisis Chief Executive, said: “It is simply disgraceful that the numbers of people
forced to sleep on the capital’s streets is very nearly back to
the record levels we were seeing before the pandemic. This shows
a complete and utter failure to tackle rough sleeping, especially
at this critical time when the cost of living crisis is pushing
more people into homelessness.
“It cannot be understated how
gruelling, brutal and dangerous life on the streets is – we hear
regularly from people who have been attacked, abused and cut off
from society. Absolutely no one should be forced to live this way
and yet the numbers new to rough sleeping are
surging.
“Enough is enough. The Westminster
Government pledged to end rough sleeping by 2024 – if it wants to
get anywhere near to this, we must see investment in housing
benefit in the upcoming budget so people can afford to rent and
keep a home. Long-term we need more social housing so we can end
homelessness in all its forms for good. No more empty promises,
people rough sleeping need to see action.”
To stand with people facing
homelessness and give them the chance of finding and securing a
safe home you can donate to Crisis by visiting: https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/donate/
Notes to Editor
The latest CHAIN reports can be found
here: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports
