Homelessness in England rises sharply, services under ‘enormous strain’ - Report

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, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

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

More than half of the 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 four per cent in a year and 21 per cent over three years, it noted.

Cases in London increased much faster, with a seven per cent rise among those at risk and 27 per cent among those already homeless. 70 per cent 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 per cent, and among people leaving institutions such as prisons or hospitals, which rose 22 per cent.

Numbers linked to domestic abuse have also climbed 14 per cent 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 per cent in 2021 to 39 per cent 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. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU