We welcome the news that the number of people estimated to be seen rough sleeping rough on a single night last autumn is down compared to the previous year. It can be explained by the extra measures put in place during the covid-19 pandemic as well as via the Rough Sleeping Initiative.  

However, we should be wary about the figures released today as they only partly cover the reality of rough sleeping:  they only include those found bedded down on the street. Many more also sleep in well-hidden or isolated locations, such as private gardens in bushes, or ride night buses, and are therefore excluded from the outreach system. Overall, we know these numbers massively under-represent the true scale of rough sleeping and homelessness.   

However, we should be wary about the figures released today as they only partly cover the reality of rough sleeping

The Homelessness Monitor published by Crisis earlier this week underlined the catastrophe ahead and confirms what we see on the ground. Indeed, too many people we support struggle to pay bills, put food on the table and pay the rent, and fear they’ll fall back into homelessness. The Local Housing Allowance (LHA), frozen since April 2020, does not reflect the cost of renting anymore and, with benefit caps in place, Glass Door often witness guests who don’t have enough funds to live on. With the cost of living crisis and inflation forecast ahead, we are deeply concerned that this is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Moreover, we see more and more non-UK citizens coming to us for support because they are barred from accessing the help they need, even if they have lived and worked in the UK legally for years.  

The Everyone In initiative showed that, when there is political will, great things can be achieved.

With an updated Rough Sleeping Strategy taking into account the positive steps made in supporting guests, including those with little or no recourse to public funds, an uprate of benefits, including the LHA and Universal credit, to reflect the rise of prices and inflation, as well as further strengthening of our social security system, we believe homelessness can be prevented. The Everyone In initiative showed that, when there is political will, great things can be achieved.  There is still time to take measures to avoid people being pushed to the brink of homelessness.  

Read the rough sleeping snapshot