Rough Sleeping On The Increase

The number of people forced to sleep rough on the streets has risen by 16 per in a single year, the latest Government figures show.

On any given night in 2016, over four thousand people were sleeping rough across England. This figure is up from 3,569 in 2015, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Homeless charities branded the new statistics “appalling” and “a national scandal.” The Government, however, said it was piloting new legislation (The Homelessness Reduction Bill) to combat the problem.

The figures also paint a very disturbing picture, showing that the number of rough sleepers with mental health needs has tripled over the last five years.

Homeless charity Crisis said that sleeping on the streets was “no way for anyone to live” and called for urgent action from ministers. Chief executive Jon Sparkes told The Independent: “The number of people sleeping on our streets continues to rise at an appalling rate. Behind these statistics are thousands of desperate people, sleeping in doorways, bin shelters, stations and parks – anywhere they can find to stay safe and escape the elements.”

“Rough sleeping ruins lives, leaving people vulnerable to violence and abuse, and taking a dreadful toll on their mental and physical health. Our recent research has shown how rough sleepers are 17 times more likely to be victims of violence. This is no way for anyone to live.”

But a spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government said the Government was updating legislation to prevent rough sleeping. “This Government is determined to help the most vulnerable in society, which is why we’re investing £550million to 2020 to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping,” he said.

“Homelessness is more than just a housing issue so we are now funding projects in 225 local authorities to help those people at risk of becoming homeless, already sleeping rough or those with complex needs, to get back on their feet. We are going even further and changing the law by backing Bob Blackman MP’s Bill.  This will mean that people across the country get the help they need to avoid becoming homeless in the first place.”