Facts about homelessness in London

Ten Facts about homelessness in London

In 2016, London accounted for 23% of the total number of rough sleepers in the UK.*

According to CHAIN data, 8,096 people slept rough at some point in London during 2015/16, an increase of 7% compared to 2014/15.****

In the first 3 quarters of 2015 – 23,178 homeless applications were made to London Local Authorities.*

Rough sleepers are 17 times more likely to be victims of violence.****

In addition to the counts of rough sleepers and the number of homelessness applications, it is thought that 62% of single homeless people are actually ‘hidden homeless’. This means they may be sofa surfing, living in squats or unsecured accommodation and they don’t show up in the Government statistics. *

The most common reason for homelessness is due to relationship breakdown.*

A recent survey as part of our CR Zero 2020 campaign, has revealed that 55% of rough sleepers in Croydon are ‘chronically homeless’ as they been sleeping rough for over a year or have high, complex needs. **

The CR Zero 2020 survey data also revealed that 60% of Croydon’s rough sleepers have been without stable accommodation for longer than a year, 50% have been to A&E in the last 6 months, and 52% have been attacked while sleeping rough. **

In addition, 17% of Croydon’s chronic rough sleepers are also suffering from ‘Tri-Morbidity,’ when a person has physical and mental health needs as well as substance misuse issues.**

Just 13% of Londoners feel enough is being done to tackle homelessness. ***

If you would like to help the homeless in London- whether through volunteering, giving donations or gifts in kind, we would love your support.

If you are considering working for a homelessness charity like Evolve, please see our vacancies page.

If you would like to volunteer at one of our hostels in London, please see our volunteering opportunities page.

*According to data from Homeless Link.

** According to data collected during our CR Zero 2020 Connections Week in September 2016

*** According to Centrepoint

**** According to Crisis