News

The latest CHAIN quarterly report, covering April to June 2026, shows a welcome reduction in rough sleeping across London. During the three-month period, outreach teams recorded 3,959 people sleeping rough in the capital, representing a 10% decrease compared with the same quarter in 2025.

A significant proportion of those recorded were people experiencing rough sleeping for the first time. 1,685 people were identified as new rough sleepers, a 16% decrease on the same period last year. Encouragingly, 77% (1,300 people) of those new to rough sleeping were seen on just one night, suggesting that many were able to access support before becoming entrenched on the streets. However, 334 people (20%) spent more than one night sleeping rough, while 51 people (3%) went on to be classified as living on the streets.

The report also found that 680 people were deemed to be living on the streets during the quarter, including those who had become newly homeless and remained there over a prolonged period. While this is 14% lower than the same period in 2025, it remains a stark reminder that hundreds of people continue to experience the most severe forms of homelessness in London.

Alongside new rough sleepers and those living on the streets, 1,645 people were recorded as intermittent rough sleepers, accounting for 42% of everyone seen sleeping rough during the period. Of these individuals, 44% were seen on only one occasion, while 26% were seen twice, indicating that experiences of rough sleeping can often be sporadic but still deeply destabilising. Only 1% were seen six or more times, highlighting the varied experiences of those affected by homelessness.

Overall, the figures show that 43% of all rough sleepers recorded during the quarter were new to rough sleeping, 42% were intermittent rough sleepers, and 17% were living on the streets. While the downward trend is encouraging and reflects the impact of homelessness prevention and outreach services across London, nearly 4,000 people sleeping rough in just three months demonstrates the scale of the challenge that remains.

At Evolve Housing + Support, we see every day how access to safe accommodation, tailored support and early intervention can transform lives. Behind every statistic is a person facing uncertainty and hardship, and we remain committed to helping people move away from homelessness, rebuild their confidence and achieve long-term independence. Together with our partners, we will continue working towards a future where nobody is forced to sleep rough.