Writing in Inside Housing, Ella Jessel is reporting on a surge in homelessness in London.

The article can be read here, and says that the number of people living on London’s streets has risen by 26% over the past year, according to newly released figures, marking one of the steepest annual increases in a decade. The spike has intensified pressure on national and local policymakers to address what homelessness charities are calling a “systemic failure” to provide stable housing and preventative support.

Data published this week by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), commissioned by the Greater London Authority, recorded over 12,300 people sleeping rough in the capital between July 2024 and June 2025. Of those, more than 8,000 were newly homeless — a 33% rise on the previous year.

Homelessness organisations have responded with alarm, warning that temporary measures are no longer sufficient to address a deepening crisis exacerbated by high housing costs, gaps in mental health provision, and the lasting economic effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

‘Unsustainable and Inhumane’

Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, described the increase as “a wake-up call” and urged ministers to adopt a “joined-up” approach across government departments.“Rough sleeping is not simply a housing issue — it’s about health, immigration, social care and criminal justice. Without a coordinated, long-term plan and adequate funding, we will continue to see people fall through the cracks,” Henderson said.

The figures come despite previous government pledges to end rough sleeping in England by the end of 2024 — a target widely missed. The government’s own evaluation of the Rough Sleeping Initiative, published in June, acknowledged that while some local successes were achieved, support remained fragmented and reactive.

Worsening Conditions on the Ground

Frontline outreach workers report a growing number of people with complex needs living on the streets, including rising numbers of women, migrants with no recourse to public funds, and individuals with untreated mental illness or substance dependency.

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, said many London boroughs are “buckling” under the pressure of increasing demand, with temporary accommodation already at capacity and evictions from private rented housing continuing to rise.

Shelter’s Chief Executive, said:“We urgently need to see more genuinely affordable social homes and a national commitment to prevention. That means reversing cuts to housing benefit, tackling the root causes of evictions, and ensuring people are supported before they hit crisis point.”

Mayoral and Government Responses

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said Sadiq Khan was “deeply concerned” by the CHAIN figures and would be increasing investment in rough sleeping services, including new funding for emergency accommodation and specialist mental health support. However, City Hall reiterated that solving the crisis ultimately requires sustained action and investment from central government.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said it remained committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping, pointing to over £2 billion of investment over the next three years through the Rough Sleeping Strategy. A spokesperson added that ministers were working with local authorities to “build on proven interventions and deliver long-term change”.

Call for Urgent Policy Shift

Policy experts say the data should prompt not only renewed investment but a shift in political priorities. The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness, which reconvened earlier this year, recommended the adoption of a cross-government strategy with statutory oversight, warning that “piecemeal” efforts would not be enough.

With rough sleeping rising across many UK cities — but most sharply in London — campaigners hope that the issue will receive greater attention in the coming political cycle. As winter approaches, the pressure is mounting on the government to deliver more than just temporary shelters.