Rough Sleeping Snapshot Estimates Toolkit 2023

Since autumn 2010, all local authorities have been required to submit an annual snapshot figure to DLUHC to indicate the number of people sleeping rough in their area on a ‘typical’ night between 1st October and 30th November.

Local authority leads and snapshot estimate coordinators should follow this guidance in order to plan and execute their annual rough sleeping snapshot estimate, and have it verified by Homeless Link, ready for online submission to DLUHC no later than 8th December 2023.

Are you the snapshot estimate coordinator for your area?

If you are a snapshot estimate coordinator or lead for your local authority and have not yet received an initial email from Homeless Link about this year's snapshot estimate, please contact verifiers@homelesslink.org.uk to ensure we have the correct contact details.

Live Q&A sessions

This year, we will once again be running a series of live Q&A sessions for local authority leads and snapshot estimate coordinators. Scroll down to find the dates and times of this year’s sessions. Booking links will be emailed out a week before each session. The first Q&A session is scheduled for 12th September. If you are a local authority lead or snapshot estimate coordinator and don't receive a booking link by email ahead of this session, please email verifiers@homelesslink.org.uk to make sure we have the correct contact details for your area.

What does the toolkit contain?

The toolkit contains a selection of pre-recorded videos and guidance documents, including:

• Definition of rough sleeping for the purpose of rough sleeping estimates
• How to choose between the three possible approaches: count-based estimate, an evidence-based estimate, and an evidence-based estimate including a spotlight count
• Information for volunteers, verifiers and independent partners
• The importance of independent partners
• How the Snapshot Estimate verification process works
• Timelines, step-by-step guidance and example forms
• What demographic data to collect
• A glossary of terms
• Some common scenarios and possible resolutions

You’ll notice that the bitesize videos are the ones we recorded for last year. We didn’t need to change any of the content for this year so we chose to re-use the 2022 videos. But, please do note that, this year, the deadline for submitting your verified returns to DELTA is 8th December.

Independent Partners

Independent partners are a crucial element of the snapshot estimate process. We have once again partnered with Housing Justice who are supporting connecting local authority leads and count coordinators with independent partners, where needed. If you would like support to recruit independent partners for your snapshot estimate, you will find contact details for Mark Brennan and Isabella Harriss at Housing Justice in the Guide for Local Authorities below.

With thanks

With thanks to East Staffordshire Borough Council for sharing their authorisation letter, and to Oxford City Council for sharing their data protection statement and agreement. Note that local authorities are advised to involve their data protection lead in preparation of local documents.