New figures today from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) – the most comprehensive data available about the number of rough sleepers in London – reveals that 3,985 people slept rough across the capital from July to September 2019, a 28% increase from the same period last year. Worryingly the figures show that 2,069 people were new rough sleepers, a rise of 50%.  

Responding to the figures Crisis Chief Executive Jon Sparkes, said: “It’s simply unforgivable that we have anyone sleeping on the streets in our society, so to see such a sharp rise is deeply distressing especially when we know that homelessness can be ended.  

“No one should be forced to face incredible dangers every day because they cannot afford to keep a roof over their head. To make matters worse many people live under the constant threat of being persecuted under the archaic Vagrancy Act, which makes it a crime just to sleep rough or beg.

“This inhumane treatment cannot go on. It’s crucial that all parties commit to scrapping the Vagrancy Act so that we can see the back of this law once and all. Because in 21st century Britain no one should be criminalised because they don’t have a safe place to call home.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports