This morning stats were released showing the number of people who were seen sleeping rough in London, from January to March this year (2022).
The key stats are:
– 231 young people aged 16 – 25 were seen sleeping rough in London, from January to March this year (2022).
– The number of young people who were sleeping rough in London has decreased by 25%, compared to the same period last year – 309 young people were seen rough sleeping in London (January to March 2021).
– In total, 2,714 people, of all ages, were seen sleeping rough in London, from January to March this year. This has decreased compared to the same period last year – 3,0002 people were seen sleeping rough in London (January to March 2021).
– Just under 1 in 10 rough sleepers (9%) in London, are young people aged 16 – 25, from January to March this year.
Alicia Walker, Head of Policy, Research and Campaigns at Centrepoint, said:
“It is really encouraging to see the continued decline in rough sleeping from January to March this year, compared to the same time last year. This outcome shows what can be done when charities and local government work together to tackle street homelessness.
“However one young person sleeping rough is one too many, and this data can only tell part of the story of youth homelessness in the capital. Calls to the Centrepoint Helpline reveal thousands more are hidden from view, including thousands of young people who are sofa surfing, riding night buses or staying with strangers – and last year over 15,000 young people were facing homelessness in London.
“With the cost-of-living skyrocketing we are worried youth homelessness could follow suit if the government does not act now. Charities and local government can only do so much to tackle this – the government in Westminster has to step up, but so far has failed to do so. The government’s own deadline to end rough sleeping by 2024 is fast approaching and ministers must go further to match that ambition with an investment and strategy, to get more young people off the streets and into safe and stable accommodation.”
