Homelessness in London has reached record highs, with migrants comprising the majority of those living on the streets, according to recent statistics revealed by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN).
CHAIN revealed over 4,000 people were recorded as homeless in London between July and September this year, which represents a 12 percent increase compared to 2022 and the highest quarterly figure since records began.
More than half – 52 percent – were registered as non-British nationals, with a large number of those awaiting an asylum decision from the British Home Office. Over 550 people were aged 55 or above and 49 percent were found to have “mental health needs.”
“This spike in rough sleeping numbers is the latest evidence of London’s worsening homelessness crisis,” explains Labour Party councillor Darren Rowell. “After several years of solid progress in reducing rough sleeping, it is devastating to see rough sleeping skyrocket to a record high. Local support services are under immense pressure and the situation is spiralling out of control.”
The British government pledged to end homelessness by 2024 last year, yet this seems to have been a fanciful target as the homeless charity “Shelter” estimated the number of homeless people across the UK was at least 271,000 as of 2023.
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