New Government figures released today show that:
- In 2018 4,677 people slept rough in England, which is a 2% decrease on 2017.
- In 2018, 4,677 people slept rough in England, which is a 165% increase from 2010.
- In 2018, nearly 300 young people under the age of 26 slept rough in England.
- In 2018 348 people slept rough across Wales.
Denise Hatton, YMCA England & Wales, Chief Executive said:
“Although there was a slight fall in people sleeping rough in England last year, the number has still significantly increased since 2010, with a worrying amount of young people on the streets.
“These figures are only a single night’s snapshot, with the reality being much higher and do not take into consideration the number of hidden homeless. We have welcomed the Government’s pledge to help improve services to rough sleepers but without action tackling issues such as high rents, lack of social housing and immediate intervention when people become homeless, the situation is only going to get worse.
“It is unimaginable that any young person is forced to sleep out and our YMCAs continue to be approached by young people who are on the streets and have nowhere else to turn.”