New CHAIN figures show drop in rough sleeping across London
12 May 2026
New figures show a welcome reduction in rough sleeping across London, but there is still a long way to go
We welcome the latest figures from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), which show a reduction in the number of people recorded sleeping rough in London.
The data shows that 3,944 people were seen sleeping rough in the capital between January and March 2026, an 11% decrease compared to the same period last year.
While any reduction in the number of people forced to sleep on the streets is encouraging, it is important to understand the full picture behind the figures and ensure progress can be sustained in the long term.
Bill Tidnam, Chief Executive at Thames Reach, said:
“It is positive to see rough sleeping numbers moving in the right direction, and we welcome any indication that fewer people are having to sleep on London’s streets.
“At the same time, we know that thousands of people are still experiencing the trauma and danger of rough sleeping every night, and for homelessness organisations working on the frontline, the urgency of the situation remains very real.
“We welcome the work that is going on at national and London level to translate strategy into action that will help us deliver long term change and bring us closer to our goal of ending rough sleeping. It’s important to remember that for people who are living on the streets this change cannot come soon enough, and that every night spent sleeping rough compounds the damage to their health, confidence and prospects for a full recovery.”
We know there is still a long way to go, and these figures highlight the importance of continued investment in homelessness prevention, outreach services, mental health support and access to suitable, affordable housing.
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