Rise in rough sleeping in London ‘shows full impact of cost-of-living crisis’

Of the latest total for the beginning of 2023, almost half – 1,490 people – were sleeping rough for the first time, a report said.

Rough sleeping on London’s streets has risen in the early part of 2023, compared to the same period last year (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Archive)

A rise in rough sleeping in London has seen almost half of those on the streets there for the first time, according to new figures a charity said show the full impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

Between January and March a total of 3,107 people were recorded by outreach teams as sleeping rough in the capital – a 14% increase on the same period last year.

The figures are from the latest Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) report, which is commissioned and funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA).