Rough sleeping in London has hit a record high, with over 4,600 people affected. Authorities are working hard to tackle this growing crisis and provide support for those in need.

London: The number of people sleeping rough in London has hit a new record. Recent stats show that 4,612 people were recorded sleeping on the streets from October to December 2024.
This is a five percent increase from the same time last year. It’s the highest number ever for these months, just shy of the 4,780 recorded in the previous quarter.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office is trying hard to address this issue. They recently announced a £10 million investment in homelessness hubs to help those in need.
The Labour Government claims they inherited a tough situation from the Conservatives. They say they’re taking steps to end homelessness for good.
According to City Hall’s data, of the 4,612 rough sleepers, 2,115 were experiencing it for the first time. Most of them were only on the streets for one night.
Interestingly, many of these individuals are not UK nationals. Only 47.1 percent were British citizens, with a significant number coming from Romania and Poland.
About 83 percent of rough sleepers are men, and many are middle-aged or older. However, a third of them are 35 or younger.
Roughly 1,767 people were assessed as having mental health needs. But this number might be higher since not everyone was assessed.
Emma Haddad from St Mungo’s expressed concern over the rising figures. She emphasized that behind every number is a person facing a tough winter on the streets.
She believes we need a system focused on prevention. This means no one should be released from hospitals or prisons without a safe place to go.
In response to the data, a spokesperson for the Mayor said the situation is a shameful legacy of the last government. They are committed to helping Londoners find secure housing.
The mayor has made significant investments to tackle rough sleeping. He’s also increased the budget for homelessness support since 2016, helping over 18,000 people off the streets.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing is also stepping up. They’re tripling emergency winter funding to help more rough sleepers find safe housing.