THOUSANDS more people were sleeping rough in London last year, with an increase of 4 per cent, according to new research published today.

A total of 4,392 people were recorded as rough sleeping in the capital between April and June 2025, according to the Combined Homelessness and Information Network. 

Of these, 2,014 were sleeping rough for the first time.

The number of people classed as living on the streets was 788 — a 26 per cent rise on the same period last year, and 12 per cent higher than January–March 2025. 

More than half had a mental health support need, the research found.

Homeless Link CEO Rick Henderson said the data “is yet more proof that too many people are being trapped on the streets and that the current support system is at breaking point.”

He welcomed recent protections to homelessness funding and new programmes, but said a more ambitious national strategy was needed.

“Key to this will be shifting the focus on to prevention so that fewer people become homeless in the first place and providing rapid, effective support to ensure that for those who do, homelessness is brief and non-recurrent,” he said.

St Mungo’s chief executive Emma Haddad said: “We should all be deeply concerned by these figures.  

“A safe, decent and affordable home is the foundation of a healthy life. It is a tragedy that anyone should lose theirs due to a sudden job loss or soaring rent rises. 

“Yet increasingly, our outreach teams are meeting people experiencing homelessness for the first time.

“Timely, trauma-informed support and emergency accommodation is essential.”

The charity welcomed investment in homelessness services but urged the government to publish the “now overdue homelessness strategy with a clear focus on prevention.”