Kent foodbanks seeing rise in people sleeping in cars and garages
We can reveal foodbanks in Sevenoaks are seeing a rise in people who are sleeping in their cars and garages.
It's as new figures reveal a shocking 27% increase in the number of homeless deaths in the South East from 2023 to 2024.
Food and hygiene bank in West Kingsdown, The Community Cupboard, has had to start providing sleeping bags and warm clothes due to the rising demand.
Tracy Woods founded the organisation in 2019. She tells Greatest Hits and Hits Radio:
"Because of the increase in car-sleepers and garage-sleepers we've seen, we've now got a designated area for blankets, sleeping bags, socks clothes...
"We used to have this stuff in the loft but we had to go up and down too often, the demand is too high.
"It's mainly young gentleman we see. They'll pop in and have a cup of tea with us, we'll put them in touch with different services, make sure they are warm enough.
"In the Winter it's only going to get harder for them.
The Community Cupboard welcomes anyone to receive food, hygiene products and everyday essentials, offering a cup of tea and signposting to support.
New research reveals the South East region sees the second largest number of homeless deaths after London.
Collecting data through freedom of information requests, coroner inquests and memorials submitted by bereaved family members, The Museum of Homelessness revealed 186 homeless people died in the South East last year, followed by 147 in the South West.
In the UK, deaths among homeless people have risen by 9% from 2023-2024, 44% of which were drug and alcohol-related.
While rough sleeping is most associated with homelessness, living in temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts, hostels or other short-term housing organised by a local authority is also a form of homelessness.
The most recent Government figures, published in July, showed the number of households in temporary accommodation in England had climbed to a new record high of 131,140 at the end of March 2025.
Project director of the Museum of Homelessness, Matthew Turtle, said their data "shows how homeless people continue to be deeply failed".
He added: "We are calling for urgent action from the Government to alleviate this crisis."
Gill Taylor, also from the project, said: "With heavy hearts, we report the deaths of 1,611 people who died whilst homeless in 2024.
"Whilst it is positive that local authorities and safeguarding adult boards appear to be taking the issue more seriously, with better reporting and evidence of improved local partnership working to prevent deaths, turning the tide on this enormous loss of life needs more than better counting.
"We remember with love all those who died and continue our work in solidarity with bereaved loved ones and the homeless community."
The Government has been contacted for comment.