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).
Murad Qureshi 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."
Related documents
Housing Committee data analysis on homelessness statistics (CHAIN)
Notes to editors
- Data analysis attached.
- The data was provided by CHAIN – Combined Homelessness and Information Network.
- London Assembly Housing Committee
- Murad Qureshi AM is Chair of the Housing Committee and is available for interview – see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.