New figures show increasing numbers of homelessness a year after the introduction of a local authority grant to support rough sleeping services.
The visualisation shows statistics on rough sleeping for England at the local authority level (September 2025). Double click on the map or use the search bar to explore figures in your area. Click here for the full page version.
Geodata analysis
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has released its statistical report on rough sleeping in England for September 2025. The data reveals that an estimated 9,292 people slept rough during the month – a 6% increase from the previous quarter and a 3% rise year-on-year.
These figures come nearly a year after the Labour Government announced the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant to support local authority funding for services tackling rough sleeping. The grant received a top-up of nearly £70 million in October.
Further data insights show that the rate of new rough sleepers remains steady at 31%, while 37% of those counted are classified as long-term rough sleepers.
At Polimapper, our data team has visualised the dataset to highlight significant geographic disparities at the local authority level.
The London boroughs of Westminster and Camden recorded the highest density of rough sleeping, with 242 and 87 individuals per 100,000 people, respectively. Outside the capital, the coastal towns of Eastbourne and Hastings also reported high figures, exceeding 50 per 100,000.
Conversely, areas such as Melton, North Warwickshire, and Rutland did not record any rough sleepers for the month of September.
Geodata context
In December 2024, the government allocated over £185 million to local authorities through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. Despite a further £70 million top-up this October, sector leaders argue more needs to be done, particularly following an Autumn Budget that did not meet expectations.
Crisis and St Mungo’s have highlighted that the continued freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates leaves financial support lagging behind rising private rents, placing thousands more at risk of losing their homes.
Emma Haddad, chief executive at St Mungo’s: “At St Mungo’s, we see how vital work is to a person’s recovery from homelessness, which is why we warmly welcome the Chancellor’s decision to address the long-standing anomaly in the benefits system that discourages people in supported housing from entering work.”
“However, we cannot ignore that we are in the middle of a homelessness crisis, which is being driven by a persistent shortage of affordable and social housing. Therefore, the Chancellor’s decision not to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance rates […] is disappointing and a missed opportunity, particularly as it would have protected thousands from homelessness by bringing housing benefit in line with real rental prices.”
Francesca Albanese, executive director of policy and social change at Crisis: “The outlook on homelessness in England remains deeply troubling, with nearly a thousand people seeking support from their councils every single day. The UK Government needs to tackle this issue as a matter of urgency.”
Sarah Elliott, chief executive at Shelter: “This Budget is cold comfort to families on the brink of losing their home, or the record 172,400 children who will wake up homeless in temporary accommodation this Christmas.”