Posted06.05.26
Rough Sleeping in London: Latest Figures and Why Support Matters
New data from outreach teams across London highlights both the scale and complexity of rough sleeping — and the importance of acting early to prevent people becoming entrenched on the streets.
Rough Sleeping in London Falls in Early 2026: Key Insights
New data from January to March 2026 shows a notable decline in rough sleeping across London, with fewer people sleeping on the streets compared to both the same period last year and the previous quarter. While the overall trend is positive, the figures also highlight ongoing challenges in preventing longer-term street homelessness.
Fewer People Sleeping Rough for the First Time
During the first three months of 2026, outreach teams recorded 1,762 people sleeping rough for the first time—15% fewer than the same period in 2025. Encouragingly, most of these individuals (76%) spent just one night on the streets, suggesting that early intervention efforts may be helping to prevent prolonged homelessness.
A smaller proportion (21%) slept rough for more than one night but did not remain on the streets long term, while only 4% were classified as living on the streets. These proportions are broadly similar to last year, though there has been a slight improvement in reducing repeat rough sleeping.
Decline in Long-Term Street Homelessness
The number of people considered to be living on the streets fell to 641 during this period, marking a 9% decrease compared to early 2025 and a significant 23% drop from the previous quarter (October–December 2025). This group includes 65 individuals who were new to rough sleeping and remained on the streets.
This reduction suggests progress in supporting those at risk of becoming entrenched in long-term homelessness.
Intermittent Rough Sleeping Also Down
There were 1,606 people identified as intermittent rough sleepers—those who are not new but also not regularly on the streets. This figure is down 6% year-on-year and 13% compared to the previous quarter.
Nearly half (47%) of this group were seen sleeping rough only once, and 24% were seen twice. Very few individuals had frequent contact with outreach teams, indicating that repeated rough sleeping episodes remain relatively uncommon within this category.
Overall Numbers Show Positive Trend
In total, 3,944 people were recorded sleeping rough in London between January and March 2026—an 11% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Breaking this down:
- 45% were new rough sleepers
- 41% were intermittent rough sleepers
- 16% were classified as living on the streets
What This Means
The latest figures point to meaningful progress in reducing rough sleeping in London, particularly in preventing new cases from becoming long-term situations. The majority of people experiencing rough sleeping are doing so only briefly, which may reflect the impact of outreach services and early support.
However, with thousands still affected over just three months, the data underscores the need for continued focus on prevention, rapid intervention, and sustained support for those most vulnerable.
