4,841 people were seen sleeping rough between October and November 2025 – more than 200 on the same quarter last year, reports Marco Marcelline

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

The number of people sleeping rough in London has substantially increased, with 4,841 seen sleeping rough between October and November 2025 – more than 200 on the same quarter last year.

According to youth homeless charity Centrepoint, care leavers who were rough sleeping rose too. In October to November 2025, with 283 on the street, compared to 268 in Q3 24 – an increase of 6%.  

The number of young people aged 25 and under sleeping on the capital’s streets fell to 396 in October to November 2025, compared to 414 in October to November 2024.  

This data is derived from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), a multi-agency database funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA), which records information about rough sleepers and the wider street population in London. 

Dr Lisa Doyle, head of policy and public affairs at Centrepoint said: “It’s heartbreaking to see these numbers, knowing more people had no choice but to sleep rough during a period blighted by bitter temperatures and severe weather.

“Concerningly, the number of care leavers being forced onto the streets has risen. These are some of the most vulnerable people in London and it’s shocking they are continuing to slip through the net, rather than getting the support they need and are entitled to.

“The Mayor of London and the government have taken positive steps to tackle rough sleeping, which will help more young people out of homelessness.

“However, today is a stark reminder that there is still a long way to go until the capital’s rough sleeping problem is under control. Those in power and local authorities, must keep their foot on the pedal to ensure more young people get access to the help and support they desperately need.”

You can read the statistics in full here

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