Rough sleeping in London: quarterly data shows mixed progress
16 June 2025
Rough sleeping in London fell this quarter, but the number of people living long-term on the streets continues to rise
The latest CHAIN data for January to March 2025 shows a continued fall in the total number of people seen sleeping rough in London. While this is a welcome shift from the all-time high recorded in Q2, the number of people living on the streets continues to rise—albeit at a slower rate.
Entrenched rough sleeping still rising
Between January and March 2025, outreach teams recorded 706 people meeting the definition of ‘living on the streets’—an increase from 704 in the previous quarter. While this rise is relatively small, it’s concerning that more people are spending extended periods sleeping rough, even as overall numbers fall.
CHAIN defines someone as ‘living on the streets’ if they have been bedded down for three or more weeks and have five or more contacts during the quarter.
Who is affected
UK nationals made up 47% of those seen sleeping rough—unchanged over the past 18 months. The proportion of European nationals has continued to fall (now 23%), while people from the ‘rest of the world’ category now make up around 30%.
This group includes individuals with a range of immigration statuses—some with no recourse to public funds, and others eligible for support. The diversity of circumstances points to the need for more tailored responses.
Winter emergency beds made a difference
Accommodation outcomes on the CHAIN database mostly reflect people moving directly off the streets. This quarter saw a rise in emergency accommodation use, driven by the activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) during periods of freezing weather. These beds, funded through government winter pressures funding, remain a short-term but vital intervention.