Last updated: 11 September 2024
The numbers of people currently homeless or at risk of homelessness are constantly changing. In autumn 2020 the official rough sleeper estimate found that 2688 people were living on the streets, this is a verified snapshot of a count on a given night.
In March 2020 when it came to getting everyone in because of COVID, 33,000 people were identified. Often people without homes are hidden from regular data, because they are sofa surfing or sleeping in cars.
In December 2019 Shelter estimated that 280,000 people were homeless in England.
The statutory homelessness figures tell us how many households have contacted councils for help with homelessness. In the year 2019-20 288,470 households were owed assistance from councils in England to prevent or relieve homelessness.
To find up to date data on rough sleeping and homelessness you can visit:-
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government