LONDON 

Homelessness in England has risen sharply over the past year, according to a new report warning that local authorities are struggling to cope with growing demand and financial pressure.

The Homelessness Monitor England 2025 report by UK-based charity Crisis found that the number of people sleeping rough grew by 20% in the past year to 4,667, nearly double the low point reached during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than half of people sleeping rough in London are now non-UK nationals, reflecting a rise in asylum applications and efforts to clear the backlog of cases, the report said.

In 2024, 330,000 households were assessed by councils – the local authorities responsible for public services – as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, up 4% in a year and 21% over three years, it noted.

Cases in London increased much faster, with a 7% rise among those at risk and 27% among those already homeless. Seventy percent of local authorities said demand for homelessness services had increased.

The study found especially sharp rises in homelessness caused by evictions from Home Office asylum accommodation – up 37% – and among people leaving institutions such as prisons or hospitals, which rose 22%.

Numbers linked to domestic abuse have also climbed 14% since 2021, following new legal protections introduced for survivors.

At the same time, the system’s effectiveness in resolving homelessness has declined.

Cases where accommodation was secured fell from 47% in 2021 to 39% in 2024.

The report concluded that England’s homelessness system is “under enormous strain,” warning that prevention efforts are being missed, support services are limited and councils are finding it increasingly difficult to secure housing for those in need.