Rough sleepers on London streets rose 5% in autumn

The number of people sleeping rough in London rose 5% between October and November 2025, compared to a year ago, according to data analysed by youth homelessness charity Centrepoint. 

There were 4,841 people sleeping on the streets of the capital last autumn, compared with 4,612 in the same period a year earlier.

Almost 400 of those sleeping rough in October and November were between 18 and 25 years old, a slight decrease on a year earlier (391 compared to 410 in 2024), while five people were 18 or younger. 

Centrepoint analysis reveals an increase in the number of care leavers recorded as sleeping rough, up 6% with 283 on the street in October/November 2025, compared to 268 in the same period of 2024.

Dr Lisa Doyle, head of policy and public affairs at Centrepoint said: “It’s heartbreaking to see these numbers, knowing more people had no choice but to sleep rough during a period blighted by bitter temperatures and severe weather.

“Concerningly, the number of care leavers being forced onto the streets has risen. These are some of the most vulnerable people in London and it’s shocking they are continuing to slip through the net, rather than getting the support they need and are entitled to.”

The data came from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), a multi-agency database funded by the Greater London Authority which records information about rough sleepers and the wider street population in London. 

Last June, the UK government vowed to decriminalise rough sleeping by scrapping the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act.

In December, the government revealed a £3.5bn homelessness strategy which aims to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers by 2029.

One of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s re-election promises in 2024 was to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2030.

“The Mayor of London and the government have taken positive steps to tackle rough sleeping, which will help more young people out of homelessness,” Doyle said.

“However, today is a stark reminder that there is still a long way to go until the capital’s rough sleeping problem is under control. Those in power and local authorities, must keep their foot on the pedal to ensure more young people get access to the help and support they desperately need.”