London rough sleeping in near record levels

This morning, the Greater London Authority’s Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) published its latest annual rough sleeping report. 

According to the report, between April 2025 and March 2026 outreach teams in London recorded 12,938 people sleeping rough. This represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year, but is still the second-highest annual number on record.

Jo Carter, CEO of Glass Door Homeless Charity, had the following to say: 

“It has now been more than two years since the Mayor pledged to end rough sleeping in London by 2030. These latest stats show that we are still far from being on track to meet that target. 

We shouldn't give up hope. There have been some positive signs in the first few months of this year, and we still believe that ending rough sleeping is achievable. 

But hope must be matched by action. People sleeping rough deserve more than warm words and missed targets. They deserve urgent action, sustained commitment, and the dignity of a safe place to call home. 

At a time of political uncertainty, we cannot afford to lose focus on the housing crisis. With the right policies, investment and determination, we can make London a city where everyone has somewhere to call home and where no one is left with the street as their only option.”