Rough sleeping in London reaches record quarterly level
27 February 2026
Latest CHAIN data highlights rising numbers and persistent pressures across the capital
The latest quarterly figures from the CHAIN database, covering October to December 2025, show that the total number of people recorded as sleeping rough in London has reached the highest level ever reported.
CHAIN data is gathered by outreach workers across Greater London and records people who have been seen and assessed as sleeping rough. As such, it provides one of the most comprehensive pictures available of rough sleeping across the capital, including areas served by a range of different organisations.
Increase in people spending longer on the streets
While the total number of people recorded rough sleeping is at a historic high, the number of people who are new to rough sleeping or who spent only one night on the streets is slightly below the peaks seen in 2023–24.
However, the number of people classed as living on the streets has risen again. This figure now stands at 830, up from 759 in the previous quarter — amongst the highest levels recorded.
CHAIN defines someone as living on the streets if they have both:
- spent at least three weeks between their earliest and latest recorded bedded-down contact, and
- had five or more bedded-down contacts within the quarter.
This increase suggests more people are becoming stuck rough sleeping for longer periods, which is often associated with worsening health, safety risks and reduced chances of quickly moving off the streets.
Nationality breakdown remains broadly stable
The proportion of people sleeping rough by nationality has remained broadly consistent with recent quarters. Outreach teams recorded:
- 48% UK nationals
- 22% European nationals
- 30% from the rest of the world
A further 597 people (around 12% of those seen) had no nationality recorded.
It is important to note that nationality does not necessarily indicate someone’s immigration status or their eligibility for support. Many non-UK nationals may have settled status or leave to remain and therefore be entitled to access services in the same way as UK nationals, while others may not.
Routes off the streets
Seasonal factors have led to a sharp rise seen this quarter in overall moves off the streets. This is largely linked to winter provision, particularly emergency winter accommodation and the use of Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).
What the figures tell us
Taken together, the data paints a complex picture. Seasonal provision continues to play a vital role in helping people off the streets during colder months, but often this accommodation is short-term and will not always resolve peoples’ homelessness. At the same time, the overall rise in rough sleeping and the growing number of people spending extended periods on the streets show how significant the pressures remain.
At Thames Reach, we welcome the strategic commitments to reduce and end rough sleeping, set out in the Mayor’s Plan of Action, and the Government’s Homelessness Strategy. But as these latest figures show, the urgency of translating these strategies into fully implemented, sustained action has never been more important. When numbers are rising, timely delivery of promised measures is not just important — it is essential.
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