Rough Sleeping in England Rises 20% to Nearly 4,700

Rough sleeping in England has surged by 20% over the past year, with an estimated 4,667 individuals sleeping on the streets, marking the third consecutive annual increase. The rise in rough sleeping reflects an ongoing housing crisis, exacerbated by an inadequate welfare system and a shortage of affordable housing. While London remains the city with the highest number of rough sleepers, the increase is becoming more pronounced in other regions, particularly in the East of England. Critics, including the chief executive of Homeless Link, describe the situation as 'devastating and shameful', calling for a comprehensive review of homelessness funding and policies. Recent efforts by the government to double emergency funding to £60 million are viewed as insufficient without a long-term strategy that prioritizes prevention. The urgency of addressing these issues is underscored by advocates like Lord John Bird, who emphasizes the need for collaborative and innovative solutions to combat homelessness effectively.