Ending rough sleeping within reach, says charity boss, as numbers fall in London
Some 3,959 slept rough in the capital between April and June this year, down from 4,392 in the same period in 2025.
Ending rough sleeping in London and beyond is “within reach”, a charity boss has said, as the latest figures showed the number of rough sleepers in the capital decreased by about 10% compared with the same period last year.
Some 3,959 slept rough in the capital between April and June this year, research from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (Chain) showed, down from 4,392 in the same period in 2025.
It represents a small increase from the 3,944 recorded rough sleepers in London from January to March this year.
The latest report comes since Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping in the UK “at the earliest opportunity”.
Emma Haddad, chief executive of St Mungo’s, said Mr Burnham’s vow was “a huge and welcome moment” but that the figures, published on Friday, showed rough sleeping is still a big issue in London.
“Today’s figures show rough sleeping in the capital remains high, with almost 4,000 people forced to sleep on the streets in the extreme heat over the past quarter,” she said.
“That this is a slight decrease on the same time last year is welcome news, and this needs to become a trend.”
But she said a 12% rise in the number of rough sleepers with multiple support needs is “incredibly worrying”.
Some 83 people with a history of rough sleeping were housed in accommodation under the severe weather emergency protocol (Swep) activated by councils from April to June this year, more than double the figure for the same period in 2025.
Borough councils in London provide emergency accommodation when Swep is activated, in both extreme cold and hot weather, and during high temperatures may also offer rough sleepers cool places to spend the day.
The capital was hit by sweltering temperatures in two heatwaves between April and June, one in May and another which began on June 18 and saw several temperature records tumble.
Ms Haddad said: “The Prime Minister must continue to champion and own his pledge to end rough sleeping. Through sustained political support, ending rough sleeping, both in London and beyond, is within reach.”