Rough Sleeping Soars in England: 26% Spike in One Year
The latest figures on rough sleeping in England reveal a shocking surge. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities published the data for 2022 on February 28, exposing a harsh reality for thousands of vulnerable people.
Startling Stats from November 2022 Count
- 3,069 people were estimated to be sleeping rough on any single night across England.
- This marks a huge 26% increase from the 2021 figures.
- It’s the largest year-on-year rise since 2015.
- Rough sleeping has shot up 74% since 2010, when this measurement method was first introduced.
- The rise ends a streak of four years where rough sleeping numbers had been falling.
Charity Boss Blasts Government Over Crisis
Rick Henderson, CEO of Homeless Link, slammed the situation, calling it a “massive, collective failure.”
“Everyone deserves a safe place to live and the support they need to keep it. This shocking rise in rough sleeping shows how systems meant to protect people are letting them down. The cost of living crisis has made everything worse—from lack of affordable housing to stretched health services,” Henderson said.
“Hundreds of homelessness services are on the brink of shutting due to funding pressures, risking leaving vulnerable people with nowhere to turn. The Government must act urgently. The upcoming Budget should increase funding in line with inflation and unfreeze Local Housing Allowance to better match rising rents. Rental reforms are long overdue and vital to prevent even more people losing their homes.”
What Needs to Happen Next?
- Protect and increase funding for frontline homelessness services.
- Unfreeze Local Housing Allowance so housing benefits reflect current rent prices.
- Implement promised rental sector reforms to stop evictions and homelessness spiraling further.
The statistics paint a bleak picture – but urgent action could stop rough sleeping rising even more next year.
