The latest data shows 1,762 new rough sleepers were identified in the quarter, down 15% compared with the same period last year. The number of people classed as sleeping \u201cliving on the streets\u201d fell by 9% compared with the same period last year to 641. The report also shows this is a 23% drop from the immediately preceding period (October \u2013 December 2025). Intermittent rough sleeping decreased by 6% to 1,606.<\/p>\n
The majority of those newly identified were supported off the streets quickly. The report shows that 1,332 people, accounting for around 76% of new rough sleepers, spent just one night sleeping rough, reflecting the continued focus on rapid intervention by outreach teams and homelessness services across London.<\/p>\n
While CHAIN does not attribute causes for the changes, the reduction comes as Labour\u2019s Mayor of London Sadiq Khan continues to deliver his long-term homelessness strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Khan\u2019s strategy includes a commitment to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2030. The approach has centred on early intervention and coordination between outreach teams, boroughs, and voluntary sector partners to prevent entrenched rough sleeping across the city.<\/p>\n
CHAIN records suggest this is the largest drop in rough sleeping in a year unaffected by Covid since comparable quarterly records began back in 2014.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Become a friend of LabourList<\/a> and join our community. Our friends support our vital non-factional work and get access to exclusive content and events.\u00a0<\/p>\n This also represents the largest percentage cut in rough sleeping since 2018 in a year unaffected by the pandemic.<\/p>\n Subscribe here to our daily newsletter<\/a> roundup of Labour news, analysis and comment\u2013 and follow us on TikTok<\/a>, Bluesky<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, X<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>. You can also write to our editor<\/a> to share your thoughts on our stories and share your own. The best letters are published every Sunday.<\/p>\n The latest CHAIN figures will likely be welcomed across City Hall and among homelessness organisations as further evidence of sustained progress, even as pressure on housing and support services remains prevalent.\u00a0<\/p>\n The continued reduction suggests that coordinated outreach and prevention-led approaches are having an impact, with fewer people remaining on the streets for extended periods and more being supported into accommodation more quickly.<\/p>\n You can read the full CHAIN report here.<\/a><\/p>\n SHARE:\u00a0If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story \u2013 or any other topic involving Labour\u2013 contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n James Tibbitts<\/p>\n James Tibbitts is a reporter for LabourList following time working in the House of Commons for a Labour MP, beginning as a Caseworker before moving into Communications.<\/p>\n
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