Rough sleeping in London has surged to a record high level, with 13,231 people seen on the capital’s streets between April 2024 and March 2025, according to new figures.
The data, published by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), reveals a 21% rise on the previous year.
Outreach workers and campaigners say rising rents, evictions, and cuts to support services are pushing more people into street homelessness.
Since Sadiq Khan became Mayor of London in 2016, the number of people sleeping rough has risen by 63%, from 8,096 in 2015-16 to the current record levels.
In response to the figures, Khan has announced a bold new Plan of Action to put London on a pathway to ending rough sleeping by 2030.
A spokesperson from his office said: “No one should have to sleep rough on our streets, so it’s hugely concerning that numbers are rising in the capital and across the country.”
Sadiq Khan’s new action plan significantly increases City Hall’s budget for rough sleeping to five times that of the previous Mayor, focusing on prevention and removing the need for people to be seen sleeping rough before receiving support by 2028.
The plan is backed by £17 million from the government to refurbish up to 500 empty homes and establish a new Ending Homelessness Hub to help prevent more Londoners from becoming homeless.
Jasmine Awad, interim CEO of Unseen Tours, a social enterprise that supports vulnerably housed individuals to develop, curate and lead walking tours across London, said the figures reflect what her organisation is witnessing first-hand.
She said: “Generally speaking, our society is going in that direction of individualism, less of that community element to support people.
“Homelessness is just one of the flaws of our system right now. So I think in order to end homelessness, there’s a lot more that needs to be done at so many levels, it’s not just an initiative of the city of London.
“But, obviously, that’s an amazing start that is top of the agenda for someone like the mayor of London.”
Unseen Tours has worked with more than 28 guides since launching in 2010 and now runs over 450 guided walks a year, welcoming upwards of 6,500 guests.
The organisation is also a member of Homeless Link, a nationwide network of organisations working in the homelessness sector.
Awad said: “Ultimately, what you will understand from the Unseen Tour is that the people with experience of homelessness are absolutely normal people who have a normal life.
“Some of our guides have gone through higher education. They speak multiple languages, but one event in their life has led them to become homeless, and that really is a reminder that it can happen to any of us.”
The sharp rise in rough sleeping across London underscores the scale and complexity of the homelessness crisis facing the city.
Tackling this issue will require sustained and coordinated action from government, community organisations, and support services working together at every level.
With ambitious plans underway and growing awareness of the challenges involved, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether London can successfully reduce rough sleeping and provide lasting support to those affected.
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