Glass Door Homeless Charity's statement on rough sleeping in London

According to the latest data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), outreach teams in London counted 4,612 people sleeping rough between October and December 2024, of whom 2,115 were sleeping rough for the first time. This is a 5% increase on the total figure for October-December 2023.

Glass Door Homeless Charity’s emergency night shelters opened for the winter in November. Since then, more than 1200 people have been referred for a place in the shelters, and more than 400 people have stayed in the shelters for at least one night.

Here is what Jo Carter, CEO of Glass Door Homeless Charity, had to say:

“These figures are a reminder that the last government’s commitment to end rough sleeping by 2024 was not met. In London, things are as bad as they have ever been, and it is vital that we do not accept this as a normal part of life.

Glass Door Homeless Charity runs the largest network of emergency night shelters in London, and just like last winter we have seen very high levels of demand for spaces. Nobody should have to sleep on the streets at any time of year, but in the freezing winter it is particularly concerning.

We will continue to offer shelter and a route out of homelessness to as many people as we can. But there are simply far too many people without anywhere safe to sleep, and neither Glass Door Homeless Charity nor any other charity can meet the demand. We need drastic action from the government to end the national disgrace of rough sleeping once and for all.”