Our unique care pathways are vital for people who sleep rough, live in hostels, or are at risk of returning to the streets.
The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 is 3,898, which has risen for the second year in a row but remains lower than the peak in 2017.
The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 has risen by 27% since 2022. This is a decrease of 9% since 2019, which was before the introduction of COVID-19 related measures and is 18% lower than the peak in 2017. It is an increase of 120% since 2010 when the snapshot approach was introduced.
The rate of people sleeping rough on a single night in England in 2023 is 6.8 people per 100,000. This has increased since 2022 (5.4 per 100,000), though remains lower than the peak in 2017 (8.5 per 100,000)
Rough sleeping has increased in every region of England compared to the previous year.
The largest increase in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough is in London. Rough sleeping in the capital increased by 19% between March 2023 and April 2024 compared to the previous year. December 2024 data from Shelter revealed that one in 47 Londoners are currently homeless, and cases of homelessness have surged by 54% over the last decade..
Nearly half (46%) of all people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn are in London and the South East, which is similar to previous years.
A small number of local authorities have driven increases. Twenty local authorities (7% of all areas) drive over half the increase in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night. In just over two-fifths of local authorities (42%), the number of people sleeping rough decreased or stayed the same compared to 2022.
The majority of people sleeping rough in England are male, aged over 26 years old and from the UK. This is similar to previous years.
Data from gov.uk
Our services offer a safe place for recovery, focusing on those who are most vulnerable and in desperate need of medical support.
This vital work is delivered alongside our long-standing commitment to HIV care, ensuring that all our patients receive compassionate, specialised treatment.
Our focus is on providing compassionate, recovery-oriented care in a safe environment for those who have been sleeping rough, staying in hostels, or are at risk of returning to the streets.
Patients are typically referred to Mildmay after completing detox treatment at acute centres in London, such as the Addiction Clinical Care Suite for homeless individuals at Guys and St. Thomas’s Hospital, one of our key partners in this programme.
Mildmay is a provider in the Pan-London Substance Misuse Programme, part of the Homeless Health London Partnership.
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Homeless Health Lead Nurse
Out of hospital care
Central London Community Healthcare
People who are homeless experience some of the worst health problems in society. The longer a person experiences homelessness, particularly from young adulthood, the more likely their health and wellbeing will be at risk. Co-morbidity (two or more diseases or disorders occurring in the same person) among the longer-term homeless population is common.
34
times more likely to have tuberculosis
50
times more likely to have Hepatitis C
12
times more likely to have epilepsy
6
times more likely to have heart disease
5
times more likely to have a stroke
2.5
times more likely to have asthma
Data courtesy of Pathway
Mildmay is a charity providing specialist services to the NHS, not an NHS or private hospital. We don't make a profit and all donations are invested in our patients, staff, services and facilities.
Help us secure the future of our UK hospital by developing our services for people who are homeless, so we can ensure equal and fair access to healthcare for all.
The film's website contains a discussion guide to help foster reflective discussions with friends, peers, or colleagues about homelessness, and we encourage you to share it with them.
There are also additional links and resources, and a feedback form to contact the film's makers.
While the tone of the film is optimistic, it does contain references to depression and suicide.
If you need help please contact 111, or speak to Samaritans on 116 123.
