New figures reveal that 2,751 people were found sleeping rough in London in the first three months of 2017 – an increase of seven per cent on the same period last year. Over the same period outreach teams recorded 1,370 people sleeping rough for the first time, a rise of 15%.

Rough sleeping in England has risen by 16% in the last year and has more than doubled in the last five.

Crisis Chief Executive Jon Sparkes said:

“The number of people forced to sleep rough in London and across the country continues to rise, and for many, the consequences are devastating. Rough sleeping ruins lives, leaving people vulnerable to violence and abuse, and taking a dreadful toll on their mental and physical health. Our recent research has shown how rough sleepers are 17 times more likely to be victims of violence. This is no way for anyone to live.

“That’s why we’ve joined forces with Centrepoint, Homeless Link, Shelter and St Mungo’s to call on all political parties to pledge to stop the scandal of rough sleeping in their General Election manifestos.

“The recent success of the Homelessness Reduction Act shows what can be achieved when the political will exists to tackle the root causes of homelessness. Whoever wins the general election must make ending rough sleeping a top priority once they are elected.”

ENDS

For further information or spokesperson interview call 020 7426 3854 or email simon.trevethick@crisis.org.uk

For out of hours media enquiries please call: 07973 372587

NOTES TO EDITORS

About CHAIN

The figures present information about people seen rough sleeping by outreach teams in London in January – March 2017. Information is derived from the 'Combined Homelessness and Information Network' (CHAIN). They show 50 per cent (1,370 people) were new rough sleepers, 258 (19%) slept rough for more than one night but did not go on to live on the streets.

FULL FIGURES: https://files.datapress.com/london/dataset/chain-reports/2017-04-28T16:53:42.89/Greater%20London%20January-March%2017.pdf 

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