When the days are short and cold, it is hard to ignore the distressing sight of people sleeping rough in our towns and cities – but it is a crisis that continues to grow despite efforts by successive governments and a multitude of charities and community groups.
Official figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at the end of February show that the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in England in November 2025 rose to a record high of 4,793, compared to 4,667 for the same period last year. This is 42 more people than the previous record high in 2017 and represents a rise of 3 per cent on last year. Record numbers of households also remain in temporary accommodation, with 134,760 households in this position (an increase of 9 per cent, or 11,660 households, on last year). These figures come after more than a decade of sustained pressure on homelessness services.
