Homeless Link responds to the Government’s rough sleeping statistics for 2017

25 Jan 2018 02:15 PM

The number of people sleeping rough in England has increased by 15% annually, with 4,751 people sleeping on our streets on any given night in 2017. 

This figure represents a 73% rise in rough sleeping over the past three years.

Homeless Link's Chief Executive, Rick Henderson, commented:

“We echo the view of the cross-party MPs of the Public Accounts Committee: this rise in rough sleeping is appalling, with a saddening growth in the number of people without a safe place to stay, and at risk of deteriorating mental and physical health.

“We have a long way to go if rough sleeping is to be eliminated altogether, and as a member of the Rough Sleeping Advisory Group, we will be working with Government and others to ensure a strategic and coordinated response is put in place and effective action taken. Our members – homelessness and supported housing services – are doing some excellent work; they also need to be recognised as part of the solution, and continued investment in these vital services is critical.

“A key part of this will involve guaranteeing that the future funding model for supported housing provides the necessary certainty, stability and sustainability – something we do not believe the current proposals will achieve. These services provide a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable people and it is imperative that they are protected if we are to ensure that everyone in our country has a place to call home.”