Cost of living crisis sees spike in homelessness on London streets

The cost of living crisis has created an increase in people sleeping rough on the streets, a leading homelessness charity has said.

New data, released today by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), shows that between April and June 2022, almost 3,000 people were seen sleeping rough in the capital, with almost half, 48 per cent, doing so for the first time.

The figures also reveal that the 2,998 individuals seen sleeping rough in London is an increase of 16 per cent on the previous three months, and a 23 per cent increase on the same period in 2021.

Of the 1,442 new rough sleepers 46 people were considered to have transitioned to living on the streets – an increase of 70 per cent on the previous three months and of 92 per cent on the same period in 2021.

The total number of people defined as ‘living on the streets’ has increased by 13 per cent on the previous quarter and now accounts for more than one in 10 people who are homeless in London.

Almost three quarters of people who were new to the streets were supported with a place to stay before they had to spend a second night sleeping rough.

St Mungo’s director of rough sleeping, Petra Salva, said: “These figures although concerning, are not a surprise. Our expert teams are out every day – morning and night – across London and we have seen the numbers of people on the streets creeping up.

“The end of the increased accommodation support measures provided during the pandemic, and the effect of the cost of living crisis are clear to see.

“And the fear is that the situation will get only worse – especially when you consider the number of households who are at real risk of losing their homes is also increasing.”

Picture: Rough sleeping in London (Picture: Flickr/Images Alight)