An estimated 4,793 people slept rough on a single night in autumn 2025, a 3% increase year-on-year and the highest figure on record, according to official statistics. The previous peak was 4,751 in 2017. Charities, however, believe the true scale is much larger, with Crisis estimating the real figure could be as high as 15,000.
The number of children in homeless families living in temporary accommodation also rose to a record high of 175,990, up 12,020 in a year. Charities attribute the upward trend to high private sector rents and a lack of social housing. Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter, called it a “national scandal”.
Separate figures from Independent Age show that 15,690 households headed by older people are at risk of homelessness due to housing benefit not keeping pace with rents, a 79% increase in five years. Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, said many older private renters are struggling to afford rent, leading to evictions.
Rough sleeping more than doubled after 2010, falling significantly only during the pandemic due to the “Everybody In” initiative. After a low of 2,443 in 2021, numbers grew by over 20% annually for three years. Last year, the first full year under the Labour government, the increase was 3%.
The government launched a strategy in December to halve rough sleeping by the end of this parliament and announced a £50m fund to support charities. The Renters’ Rights Act, banning “no fault” evictions, comes into effect in May. Matt Downie of Crisis described the figures as a “bleak picture”, while Rick Henderson of Homeless Link called them “devastating”.
Homelessness minister Alison McGovern acknowledged that too many people face life on the streets or in temporary accommodation, but noted progress in some areas. She highlighted a record £3.6bn investment to tackle homelessness, including the £50m fund announced on Thursday.
