Learn more about homelessness in London
10 facts about homelessness in London
– In 2018, London accounted for 27% 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. ***
10 facts about Evolve’s fight to end homelessness in London
– 75% of people on our Health + Wellbeing programme throughout 2018/2019 have reported better mental health
– Between 2018/2019 73% of people in Evolve’s Work + Learning programme took part in education or training since engaging with our support. 76% started work-like activities be it volunteering, apprenticeships or employment.
– Evolve runs a peer support project which works across London helping severely disadvantaged people to overcome multiple barriers to access training, volunteering and employment opportunities.
– We employ 229 people across London, 49 of whom had previously experienced homelessness.
– Our 2019 Sleep Out helped raise over £75,000 for our homelessness programmes and prevention work.
– We support young people up to 16 years of age through mentoring in London to ensure young adults have the best chances of avoiding possible future homelessness.
– Since 2015 Evolve has offered affordable childcare and early years education.
– 94% of people we’ve helped at Alexandra House moved on to independence.
– Nearly 8 out of 10 people that live with us moving on positively, and in some of our services that number increasing to 9 out of 10.
– 90% of people on our Health + Wellbeing programme throughout 2018/2019 have reported better managing their physical health.
Want to do something good?
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
