The number of people sleeping rough in England reached a recorded high of 4,751 in the autumn of last year, new data reveals today.
Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government revealed the highest figure in the eight years rough sleeping has been tracked.
It marks another steep rise in the problem in recent years, up 15 per cent from 4,134 in 2016 to the highest point since comparable records began in 2010.
The number of people sleeping rough in England reached a recorded high of 4,751 in the autumn of last year, new data reveals today – with almost a quarter in London alone
A map of where homelessness is concentrated – shown by the darker colours – reveals much high rates of rough sleeping in parts of London, Manchester and Brighton
Of the people counted rough sleeping in London there were 1,137. This is an increase of 18 per cent from the 2016 figure of 964.
In 2017 London accounted for 24 per cent of the total England figure, compared to 23 per cent in 2016 and 26 pr cent in 2015
Charity Homeless Link said the homelessness figures amounted to a 73 per cent rise in rough sleeping over the past three years.
Shadow housing secretary John Healey said: ‘These shameful figures are a terrible reminder of the consequences of a Conservative Government.
‘The number of people sleeping rough fell under Labour but has more than doubled since 2010, and is up for the eighth year in a row under the Tories.
‘This is a direct result of decisions made by Conservative Ministers: a steep drop in investment for affordable homes, crude cuts to housing benefit, reduced funding for homelessness services, and a refusal to help private renters.
‘A Labour government will end rough sleeping within its first term in office, and tackle the root causes of rising homelessness.’
In a statement, chief executive Rick Henderson said: ‘We echo the view of the cross-party MPs of the Public Accounts Committee: this rise in rough sleeping is appalling, with a saddening growth in the number of people without a safe place to stay, and at risk of deteriorating mental and physical health.
‘We have a long way to go if rough sleeping is to be eliminated altogether, and as a member of the Rough Sleeping Advisory Group, we will be working with Government and others to ensure a strategic and co-ordinated response is put in place and effective action taken.
Of the people counted rough sleeping in London there were 1,137. This is an increase of 18 per cent from the 2016 figure of 964. Pictured are rough sleepers in Windsor on Sunday
‘Our members – homelessness and supported housing services – are doing some excellent work; they also need to be recognised as part of the solution, and continued investment in these vital services is critical.
‘A key part of this will involve guaranteeing that the future funding model for supported housing provides the necessary certainty, stability and sustainability – something we do not believe the current proposals will achieve.
‘These services provide a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable people and it is imperative that they are protected if we are to ensure that everyone in our country has a place to call home.’
Shadow housing secretary John Healey said the figures were ‘shameful’ and a shocking indictment of Tory policy