Official Statistics

Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2022

Published 28 February 2023

Applies to England

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1. Main findings

  • The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 is 3,069, which after 4 years of decreases has risen for the first time since the peak in 2017.

  • The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 is down 28% from 2019 which was before COVID-19 related measures which may have reduced people’s risk of rough sleeping, particularly in 2020.

  • The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 is up by 626 people or 26% from 2021. It is down 35% from 2017, but is up 74% since 2010 when the snapshot approach was introduced.

  • The rate of people sleeping rough on a single night in England in 2022 was 5.4 people per 100,000. This has increased since 2021 (4.3 per 100,000) though is lower than in 2017 (8.5 per 100,000).[footnote 1]

  • While rough sleeping increased in every region of England compared to the previous year, increases have been driven by a small number of areas. Over half the increase in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night is driven by 15 areas (5% of all areas). In just under half of all areas (46%) the number of people sleeping rough decreased or stayed the same compared to last year.

  • The largest increase in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough was in London, where there were 858 people this year compared to 640 people last year, an increase of 218 people or 34%.

  • Nearly half (47%) of all people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn are in London and the South East.

  • Most people sleeping rough in England are male, aged over 26 years old and from the UK. This is similar to previous years.

Date of next publication: It is expected that the autumn 2023 Rough sleeping snapshot will be published in February 2024. The date will be pre-announced on the GOV.UK publication release calendar

Figure 1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn in England since 2010.

1.1 Introduction

This publication provides information about the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night between 1 October and 30 November 2022 and some basic demographic details (i.e. age, gender, nationality). These statistics provide a way of estimating the number of people sleeping rough across England on a single night in autumn and to assess change over time.

There were no COVID-19 related measures in place during the 2022 snapshot unlike 2021 and 2020. These measures may have reduced people’s risk of rough sleeping.

In response to the pandemic, the government launched a range of extra support for people sleeping rough, in addition to the support already being provided as part of the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI).

As well as the pandemic, there are other factors that can affect the number of people who sleep rough on any given night. For example, the availability of night shelters, the weather, where people choose to sleep and the date and time chosen for the snapshot estimate. Whilst local authorities are asked to provide possible reasons for any significant changes in the numbers of people who sleep rough compared to previous years, the figures in this release are subject to some uncertainty and should be treated as estimates of the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn.

Alongside this year’s snapshot statistics, we have published the latest quarterly update of management information about the support for people sleeping rough and those at risk of sleeping rough, which we began collecting in May 2020.

This management information is designed to provide a fuller picture of the dynamic and seasonal nature of rough sleeping, and illustrates the work done by local authorities to provide a pathway off the streets and into long-term accommodation. It provides more timely and frequent information about people sleeping rough and uses a similar collection approach to annual rough sleeping statistics, albeit without the greater verification of the annual statistics. It also includes information about new people sleeping rough, the total number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month, information about the offer of support for people sleeping rough, information about prison leavers and support under legal homelessness duties.

We committed to publishing the management information on a quarterly basis, in the cross-government strategy Ending Rough Sleeping for Good. This is an important step towards driving better outcomes through increased data and transparency. We are also working with the Centre for Homelessness Impact and early adopter areas to develop a national data-led framework to track progress towards our vision of ensuring that rough sleeping is prevented wherever possible, and where it cannot be prevented, is a rare, brief and non-recurring experience.

The annual snapshot statistics remain our official and most robust measure of rough sleeping on a single night given they are independently verified and are published in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics though it’s important to consider how they can and can’t be used, as illustrated below.

1.2 Definitions

People sleeping rough are defined as follows: People sleeping, about to bed down (sitting on/in or standing next to their bedding) or bedded down in the open air (such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments). People in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as stairwells, barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations, or ‘bashes’ which are makeshift shelters, often comprised of cardboard boxes). The definition does not include people in hostels or shelters, people in campsites or other sites used for recreational purposes or organised protest, squatters or travellers.

Bedded down is taken to mean either lying down or sleeping.

About to bed down includes those who are sitting in/on or near a sleeping bag or other bedding.

1.3 Things you need to know

  • Local authorities across England take an autumn single night snapshot of people sleeping rough. They either use a count-based estimate of visible rough sleeping, an evidence-based estimate meeting with local agencies to record those who are known to be sleeping rough or an evidence-based estimate meeting including a spotlight count.

  • Local authorities, together with local agencies, decide which approach and date to use for their snapshot of rough sleeping. They are advised to use the approach that will provide the most accurate estimate of the number of people sleeping rough in their local authority.

  • The snapshot should take place on a ‘typical night’, on a single date between 1 October and 30 November, chosen by the local authority. The date can change from one year to the next and will not be the same for all local authorities. In some cases, this is coordinated with neighbouring local authorities to avoid double counting of people.

  • The snapshot takes place in the autumn rather than summer (when numbers are likely to be higher due to warmer temperatures) or winter (when numbers may be lower as more temporary night shelters are set up).

  • The snapshot is collated by outreach workers, local charities and community groups and is independently verified by Homeless Link.

  • The snapshot does not provide a definitive number of people affected by homelessness in England. The term ‘homelessness’ is much broader than people sleeping rough, and can also include people who are in temporary accommodation or staying temporarily with friends or family.

  • DLUHC also collect and publish quarterly statistics on the broad characteristics and circumstances of households assessed by local authorities as owed a statutory homelessness duty under the Housing Act 1996. This includes households who approach the council for help with housing who are sleeping rough.

  • The snapshot does not include everyone in a local authority with a history of sleeping rough. Nor does it include everyone sleeping rough across local authorities from the October to November period.

  • Accurately estimating the number of people sleeping rough within a local authority is inherently difficult given the hidden nature of rough sleeping. For example, sleeping patterns of females experiencing rough sleeping may not be fully captured by the snapshot.

  • The snapshot methodology has been in place since 2010. From 1998 to 2010, only a quarter of all local authorities who estimated that there were more than 10 people sleeping rough in their local authority were asked to conduct an annual street count.

  • There were no COVID-19 related measures in place during the 2022 snapshot unlike 2021 and 2020. These measures may have reduced people’s risk of rough sleeping.

  • Alongside this year’s snapshot statistics, we have also published an update to the management information about the support for people sleeping rough and those at risk of sleeping rough.

  • Since March 2018, the government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) has funded local authorities to provide specialist services to help the most vulnerable people in society off the streets and into secure accommodation. The government announced an investment of up to £500 million in funding through the Rough Sleeping Initiative to local authorities across England, spanning a 3-year period from April 2022 to March 2025. This is the fifth year of this government initiative to end rough sleeping. This is funding a variety of services from accommodation, Housing First, outreach staff and specialist services in areas such as physical and mental health, supporting prison leavers, training to widen employment opportunities, immigration advice, and access to social and private rented sector housing.

  • In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic the government asked local authorities to house people sleeping rough and those at risk of rough sleeping to protect their health and stop wider transmission of the virus - this became known as ‘Everyone In’. This, as well as the Protect, Protect Plus and Protect and Vaccinate programmes, helped to protect thousands of vulnerable people in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.

  • In 2020, the government started the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP), to fund up to 6,000 move-on homes for rough sleepers.

  • In September 2022, the government published the cross-government strategy Ending Rough Sleeping for Good, which is supported by £2 billion investment over the next 3 years to fund dedicated measures to address the wide range of causes that can lead to rough sleeping.

  • As part of the strategy, the government announced, the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), which will deliver up to 2,400 homes, including supported housing and Housing First accommodation and accommodation for young people at risk of homelessness, including rough sleeping.

2. Rough sleeping snapshot

2.1 National

The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 is 3,069, which after 4 years of decreases has risen for the first time since the peak in 2017.

The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn has risen for the first time since 2017. The number remains considerably lower than its peak in 2017, and lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, but remains higher than in 2010 when the snapshot approach was first introduced.

There were 3,069 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 in England. This is an increase of 626 people or 26% from 2021 and an increase of 1,301 people or 74% since 2010 when the snapshot approach was first introduced, but was a decrease of 1,682 people or 35% since 2017.

In London, there were 858 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022. This is an increase of 218 people or 34% from 2021 and an increase of 443 people or 107% since 2010, but a decrease of 425 people or 33% since the peak in 2018.

Across the Rest of England, there were 2,211 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022. This is up by 408 people or 23% from last year and down by 1,403 people or 39% from its peak in 2017. However, this is an increase of 858 people or 63% since 2010.

Overall, the increase has been driven by small number of areas. Over half the increase in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night is driven by 15 areas (5% of all areas). In just under half of areas (46%) the number of people sleeping rough decreased or stayed the same compared to last year.

Table 2.1.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn in England, London and Rest of England since 2010.

Year England % change on previous year (England) London % change on previous year (London) Rest of England % change on previous year (Rest of England)
2010 1,768 - 415 - 1,353 -
2011 2,181 23 446 7 1,735 28
2012 2,309 6 557 25 1,752 1
2013 2,414 5 543 -3 1,871 7
2014 2,744 14 742 37 2,002 7
2015 3,569 30 940 27 2,629 31
2016 4,134 16 964 3 3,170 21
2017 4,751 15 1,137 18 3,614 14
2018 4,677 -2 1,283 13 3,394 -6
2019 4,266 -9 1,136 -11 3,130 -8
2020 2,688 -37 714 -37 1,974 -37
2021 2,443 -9 640 -10 1,803 -9
2022 3,069 26 858 34 2,211 23

Figure 2.1.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn in London and the Rest of England since 2010.

2.2 Regional

Nearly half (47 %) of all people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn are in London and the South East.

While rough sleeping increased in every region compared to the previous year, with London increasing the most, the overall increase has been driven by a small number of areas.

The largest increase in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 was in the London, where there were 858 people this year compared to 640 people last year.

Table 2.2.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 by region compared to previous year

Area 2021 2022 Difference % Change
Yorkshire and The Humber 166 170 4 2
North East 48 61 13 27
East Midlands 175 213 38 22
East of England 241 285 44 18
North West 200 247 47 24
West Midlands 194 250 56 29
South West 334 413 79 24
South East 445 572 127 29
London 640 858 218 34
Rest of England 1,803 2,211 408 23
England 2,443 3,069 626 26

Figure 2.2.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by region since 2010. (% change compared to previous year for each region highlighted)

London and the South East accounted for nearly half (47%) of all the people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn this year, which is broadly similar to previous years. The North East of England was the region with the lowest number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn this year, which is the same as all previous years.

Figure 2.2.2: Proportion of people sleeping rough on single night in autumn 2022 by region.

2.3 Local authority

Westminster had the highest number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022.

The largest increase in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn was in Westminster.

The largest decrease in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn was in Peterborough.

The local authority with the highest number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 was Westminster where 250 people were estimated to be sleeping rough. Westminster has consistently been the local authority with the highest number of people sleeping rough since the snapshot approach was introduced in 2010.

The Westminster City Council: Rough Sleeping Strategy 2017-2022 suggests that Westminster attracts a disproportionate number of people sleeping rough from across the UK and internationally because of: its central location and access to transport hubs, the perceived safety of the area due to its 24 hour nature, begging opportunities available due to large numbers of people in the area including tourists, a flow of easily accessible drugs, employment opportunities and availability of services for people sleeping rough.

Table 2.3.1: Local authorities with the highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 compared to previous year.

Local Authority 2021 2022 Difference % Change
Westminster 187 250 63 34
Camden 97 90 -7 -7
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 29 64 35 121
Bristol, City of 68 58 -10 -15
Manchester 43 58 15 35
City of London 20 43 23 115
Cornwall 28 43 15 54
Brighton and Hove 37 41 4 11
Birmingham 31 39 8 26
Leeds 25 37 12 48

Figure 2.3.1: Local authorities with the highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022.

The largest increase in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough was in Westminster, where there were 250 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022, compared to 187 last year.

Generally, the largest increases in the number of people sleeping rough, according to the local authorities involved, were thought to be largely due to the return to busier streets following the change in response to the pandemic (the 2020 estimate was undertaken during a national lockdown and additional measures to protect and accommodate people sleeping rough were also in place in 2021). Local authorities also suggested there was an increase in people returning to the streets, an increase in people sleeping rough from the EU and challenges finding suitable accommodation pathways to support people sleeping rough.

Table 2.3.2: Local authorities with the largest increase in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 compared to previous year.

Local Authority 2021 2022 Difference % Change
Westminster 187 250 63 34
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 29 64 35 121
Leicester 8 34 26 325
City of London 20 43 23 115
Waltham Forest 5 27 22 440

Figure 2.3.2: Local authorities with the largest increase in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 compared to previous year.

The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough increased in 54% of local authority areas compared to 2021. Over 50% of the change in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough was driven by 15 local authorities (5% of all local authorities).

The largest decrease in the number of people sleeping rough was in Peterborough, where 24 people were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 compared to 36 people last year.

Generally, the largest decreases in the number of people sleeping rough, according to the local authorities involved, was due to government funding provided through RSI and RSAP. Local authorities reported this funding has allowed them to expand their outreach services and increase the availability of accommodation to better support people sleeping rough.

When comparing the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn across years, and between local authorities, there are a range of factors that should be considered. For example, the impact of COVID-19, the weather, where people choose to sleep, movement across local authority boundaries particularly in London, the date and time chosen for the snapshot and the availability of night shelters.

Table 2.3.3: Local authorities with the largest decrease in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 compared to previous year.

Local Authority 2021 2022 Difference % Change
Peterborough 36 24 -12 -33
Bristol, City of 68 58 -10 -15
Enfield 21 11 -10 -48

Figure 2.3.3: Local authorities with the largest decrease in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 compared to previous year.

Rough sleeping on a single night has fallen or remained the same in 46% of all local authorities since last year.

3. Demographics

Since 2016, the Rough sleeping snapshot has also included some basic demographic information about those people found sleeping rough, including age, gender and nationality. Consistent demographic data which used the same categories has been available from 2017 onwards[footnote 2].

Demographic information was collected either by asking the person found sleeping rough or by referring to existing knowledge (if that person was already known). If a person refused to give, or did not want to share, their personal information, they would still be recorded as sleeping rough and demographic information including age, gender and nationality would be recorded as ‘Not known’. If it was not possible to record demographic information, due to an individual sleeping for example, then it was recorded as ‘Not known’.

Caution should be taken when comparing the change in the demographics of people sleeping rough compared to previous years due to the change in ‘Not Known’ groups. Also, there were no COVID-19 related measures in place during the 2022 snapshot unlike 2021 and 2020. These measures may have reduced people’s risk of rough sleeping.

3.1 Age

Most people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were aged 26 years old and over.

Most people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 were aged 26 years old and over, which was similar to previous years. Under 18s who are homeless should be provided with accommodation by Children’s Services in their local authority. There were 2 people under the age of 18 found sleeping rough in this year’s snapshot.

In 2022, there were 2,506 people (82% of the total) sleeping rough on a single night in autumn who were aged 26 years and over and 192 people (6% of the total) who were aged between 18 and 25 years. The age of people sleeping rough was ‘Not known’ for 369 people, or 12% of the total.

Table 3.1.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by age since 2017.

Year Under 18 18 - 25 26 and over Not Known Total
2017 3 366 3,846 536 4,751
2018 1 295 3,744 637 4,677
2019 6 201 3,542 517 4,266
2020 1 138 2,349 200 2,688
2021 0 112 2,111 220 2,443
2022 2 192 2,506 369 3,069

Figure 3.1.1: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by age since 2017.

The age breakdown of people sleeping rough was broadly similar across all regions in England.


Table 3.1.2: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 by age and region.

Area Under 18 18 - 25 26 and over Not Known
England 0.1 6 82 12
Rest of England 0.0 6 84 10
London 0.1 7 76 17


3.2 Gender

Most people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were male.

Most people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were male. In 2022, there were 2,539 men (83% of the total) and 464 women (15% of the total) sleeping rough on a single night in autumn. Gender was ‘Not known’ for 66 people (2% of the total). The gender breakdown of people sleeping rough was similar across all regions in England and was similar to previous years.

We recognise that sleeping patterns of females experiencing rough sleeping is more hidden and therefore may not be fully captured by the snapshot.

Table 3.2.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by gender since 2017.

Year Male Female Not Known Total
2017 3,965 653 133 4,751
2018 3,937 642 98 4,677
2019 3,534 614 118 4,266
2020 2,277 377 34 2,688
2021 2,079 322 42 2,443
2022 2,539 464 66 3,069

Figure 3.2.1: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by gender since 2017.


Table 3.2.2: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 by gender and region.

Area Male Female Not Known
England 83 15 2
Rest of England 83 15 2
London 81 16 3


3.3 Nationality

Most people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were from the UK.

The largest increase in people sleeping rough on a single night were those from the UK, whereas the largest percentage increase was for those people from outside the EU and the UK.

Most people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 were from the UK. This is similar to previous years. In 2022, 1,966 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night were from the UK (64% of the total), 632 people (21% of the total) were EU nationals and 179 people (6% of the total) were from outside the EU and the UK. The nationality of 292 people (10% of the total) was ‘Not known’.

Table 3.3.1: Estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by nationality since 2017.

Year UK EU Non-EU,Non UK Not Known Total
2017 3,396 760 193 402 4,751
2018 3,013 1,048 153 463 4,677
2019 2,735 937 151 443 4,266
2020 1,922 472 128 166 2,688
2021 1,633 497 110 203 2,443
2022 1,966 632 179 292 3,069


Figure 3.3.1: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by nationality since 2017.

In London, over half of the people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were from outside the UK in 2022. In total, 279 people were from the UK (33% of the total), 328 people (38% of the total) were EU nationals and 108 people (13% of the total) were from outside the EU and the UK. The nationality of 143 people (17% of the total) was ‘Not known’.

Across the Rest of England, 1,687 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were from the UK (76% of the total), 304 people were EU nationals (14% of total), 71 people were from outside the EU and the UK (3% of total) and for 149 people (7% of the total) nationality was ‘Not known’.


Table 3.3.2: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 by nationality and region.

Area UK EU Non-EU,Non UK Not Known
England 64 21 6 10
Rest of England 76 14 3 7
London 33 38 13 17


The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough who were from the UK increased the most compared to other nationalities. In 2022, there were 1,966 people from the UK estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night compared to 1,633 people in 2021, which is an increase of 333 people or 20%. UK nationals make up a lower percentage of the total number of people sleeping rough on a single night in 2022 (64% of the total) compared to 2021 (67% of the total).

There were 632 EU nationals estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in 2022 compared to 497 people in 2021, which is an increase of 135 people or 27%. The overall proportion has increased marginally from 20% in 2021 to 21% in 2022. There were 179 people from outside the EU and UK estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in 2022 compared to 110 people in 2021, which is an increase of 69 people or 63%. The overall proportion has increased marginally from 5% in 2021 to 6% in 2022.

There was also a large change in the number of people sleeping rough whose nationality was ‘Not Known’ compared to last year (44% increase), which is largely due to people sleeping or being unwilling to engage with local authorities.


Table 3.3.3: Difference to previous year in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by nationality.

Nationality 2021 2022 Difference % change
UK 1,633 1,966 333 20
EU 497 632 135 27
Non-EU,Non UK 110 179 69 63
Not Known 203 292 89 44
Total 2,443 3,069 626 26


4. Snapshot approach

Most local authorities (92%) used the same approach for their rough sleeping snapshot as they did last year.

Most local authorities used an evidence-based meeting for their rough sleeping snapshot, which is similar to previous years.

Local authorities, in conjunction with local agencies, decide which approach to use for their snapshot of rough sleeping. They are advised to use the approach that will most accurately reflect the number of people sleeping rough in their local authority and will provide an estimate that best meets the local context. There are different approaches a local authority can decide to use, this includes:

  • A count-based estimate which is the number of people seen sleeping rough in the local authority on a ‘typical night’ - a single date chosen by the local authority between 1 October and 30 November.

  • An evidence-based estimate meeting which is an evidence-based assessment by local agencies, leading to a single snapshot figure that represents the number of people thought to be sleeping rough in the local authority on a ‘typical night’ - a single date chosen by the local authority between 1 October and 30 November.

  • An evidence-based estimate meeting including a spotlight count which is the same as above, but with one of the evidence sources also including a street count, which might not be as extensive as the count-based estimate but has taken place after midnight on the ‘typical night’.

In 2022, 248 local authorities (80%) used an evidence-based estimate meeting or an evidence-based estimate meeting including spotlight count for their rough sleeping snapshot and 61 local authorities (20%) used a count-based estimate.

Figure 4.1: Approach used by local authorities for their Rough sleeping snapshot since 2012.

As in previous years, most local authorities used an evidence-based estimate meeting for their rough sleeping snapshot. More local authorities supplemented their evidence-based estimate meetings with a spotlight count compared to last year. However, we cannot compare this to earlier years as, although this approach was available, only a distinction between evidence-based estimate meetings and count-based estimates was recorded and published at the time.

Table 4.1: Approach used by local authorities for their rough sleeping snapshot compared to previous year.

Approach 2021 2022
Count-based estimate 59 61
Evidence-based estimate meeting 102 93
Evidence-based estimate meeting (inc. spotlight count) 148 155
Total 309 309

Local authorities can change approach from year to year but any decision to do so must be guided by whether it will produce the most accurate figure. Homeless Link, who independently verify the rough sleeping snapshot, ask for details of this decision-making as part of the verification process to ensure any changes meet the guidance. If the reasons given for an approach change are deemed unsatisfactory, then the local authority snapshot figure would not be verified. Further information about verification is available in the technical report.

There are several reasons why a local authority may change approach from year to year. For example, a local authority may change from an evidence-based estimate to a count-based estimate if there are a lack of local agencies with intelligence about where people are sleeping rough or if agencies refuse to share their data, making it difficult to form an accurate estimate. A local authority may change from a count-based estimate to an evidence-based estimate if there are new sleep sites which are inaccessible or unsafe to access, which would not be included in a count-based estimate.

The 2018 RSI impact evaluation found that local authorities changing their approach to measuring rough sleeping from count-based estimate to evidence-based estimate, and vice versa, was unlikely to account for the fall in rough sleeping seen in these local authorities. A more detailed analysis of the rough sleeping snapshot over time was carried out to examine the possible effects of local authorities changing their snapshot approach. This is available in the technical report.

Figure 4.2: Percentage of local authorities that changed approach[footnote 3] for their rough sleeping snapshot to previous year.

5. Consultation with local agencies

Nearly three-quarters of local authorities consulted 5 or more agencies for their snapshot estimate.

Most local authorities involved the police, voluntary sector and outreach teams for their snapshot estimate.

Local authorities consult local agencies to discuss what intelligence they have about rough sleeping locally to check if there are any factors that might affect the choice of a ‘typical night’ for the estimate. Furthermore, the local authority should involve those local agencies that have the most accurate information about who is sleeping rough. In 2022, every local authority reported that they had consulted with at least one type of local agency, and 73% reported they had consulted 5 different groups or more.

The involvement of local agencies is an essential element of the rough sleeping snapshot. It ensures transparency about how the snapshot was carried out and enables Homeless Link to speak to independent local agencies as part of the verification process. Homeless Link will not verify the process where no local agencies, or only those that are part of, or commissioned by, the local authority, are involved.

This year, one local authority out of 309 provided figures that were unverified by Homeless Link. This was due to a disagreement between the agreed verified figure and the figure submitted to DLUHC. This snapshot is still included in this year’s publication but concerns about the agreed verified figure needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting the figures for this specific local authority. Further information about verification is available in the technical report.

Figure 5.1: Number of agencies consulted by local authorities for their rough sleeping snapshot this year.

In 2022, nearly all local authorities involved outreach workers the police and voluntary sector in their rough sleeping snapshot. Most local authorities also involved substance misuse teams and faith groups.

Figure 5.2: Local agencies most involved in the 2022 rough sleeping snapshot.

6. Technical notes

6.1 Data tables, interactive dashboard and technical report

Five accompanying tables (Excel, 534KB) are available alongside this release. These include the number of people sleeping rough, demographic information (i.e. age, gender, nationality), rates of people sleeping rough, the snapshot approach used and any consultations that took place with local agencies. An interactive dashboard and infographic (PDF, 239KB) enables users to explore trends in rough sleeping since 2010. A technical report explains in more detail how the rough sleeping data is collected and provides an assessment of data quality and data limitations.

6.2 Data quality and limitations

These statistics provide a way of estimating the number of people sleeping rough across England on a single night in autumn and assessing change over time. Accurately estimating the number of people sleeping rough within a local authority is inherently difficult given the hidden nature of rough sleeping. Furthermore, there are a range of factors that can impact on the number of people seen or thought to be sleeping rough on any given night. These include the weather, where people choose to sleep, the date and time chosen, and the availability of alternatives such as available night shelters.

The impact evaluation of the 2018 RSI found that local authorities changing their approach to measuring rough sleeping was unlikely to account for the fall in rough sleeping observed in these local authorities. It also found that the weather on the night of, and leading up to, the snapshot was also unlikely to have impacted on the number of people sleeping rough.

Homeless Link have been funded by DLUHC since 2010 to provide guidance to local authorities who conduct the snapshot of rough sleeping and to independently verify independently all local authorities’ snapshots. For more information about the quality assurance processes, data limitations and the role of Homeless Link please see the technical report.

The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) which is the regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority completed a compliance check of the rough sleeping snapshot statistics against the Code of Practice for Statistics. This review considered the value, quality and trustworthiness of these statistics in relation to the Code.

Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN)

The Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) is a multi-agency database recording information about people seen rough sleeping by outreach teams in London. CHAIN is managed by Homeless Link, a London-based homeless charity and is used by organisations working with people sleeping rough in London. Information is recorded onto the CHAIN database by people who work directly with people sleeping rough in London (e.g. workers in outreach teams, day centres, hostels and resettlement teams). CHAIN does not cover ‘hidden homeless’ groups, such as those who are squatting or staying in inaccessible locations to outreach workers.

The CHAIN data, which is published quarterly and annually, is not directly comparable to the single night snapshot estimates presented in this release. The CHAIN data most similar to the single night snapshot provides a total count of all individuals seen sleeping rough by outreach teams in London on at least one night during the October to December 2022 quarter. Whereas, the DLUHC single night snapshot for autumn 2022 shows the number of people seen or thought to be sleeping rough on a single night between 1 October and 30 November 2022. The CHAIN database also records more detailed demographic information about people sleeping rough.

Although the CHAIN database provides more information about the flows and characteristics of people sleeping rough in London, DLUHC’s rough sleeping snapshot provides a way of estimating the number of people sleeping rough on a single night and measuring change over time. CHAIN data quality is influenced by the number of outreach workers active on any one night. A local authority which does not have a commissioned outreach team may appear to have fewer rough sleepers than an adjacent borough which does have an active outreach service.

Deaths of homeless people in England and Wales

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes experimental statistics on the number of deaths of homeless people in England and Wales.

Coronavirus and deaths of homeless people in England and Wales

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also publishes statistics on the number of identified deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) of people who were homeless..

Hostels and support services

Homeless Link publishes an Annual Review of Single Homelessness support, which includes information about the number of hostels and shelters in England and available bed spaces, as well as the support and services available to single people who become homeless in England.

The rough sleeping statistics do not provide a definitive number of people or households affected by homelessness in England. The term ‘homelessness’ is much broader than people sleeping rough. It is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of all homelessness across England. Data used to compile any estimate is collated from different datasets, which sample different subsets of the population over different time frames. Any estimate of homelessness in England will collate datasets that are not discrete from one another, which means some individuals may have been included more than once in the estimated total.

Management information about rough sleeping and the support for people sleeping rough in England

DLUHC also collects and publishes management information about the support for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping, initially as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This management information provides more timely information about people sleeping rough but uses a similar collection approach to annual rough sleeping statistics, albeit without the greater verification of the annual statistics.

Alongside this year’s snapshot statistics, we are also publishing an update on the management information about rough sleeping and the support for people sleeping rough in England,

Rough sleeping questionnaire

In December 2020, DLUHC published the initial report on the rough sleeping questionnaire (RSQ), which represents one of the largest survey data collections on people who sleep rough ever attempted in the UK. The report provides insights into the experiences of people who have slept rough, including their support needs and vulnerabilities, experiences of homelessness and use of public services, as well as an estimate of the fiscal cost associated with someone who sleeps rough.

Statutory homelessness

DLUHC also collects and publishes quarterly statistics on the broad characteristics and circumstances of households owed a statutory homelessnes duty. This includes households who approach the council for help with housing who are sleeping rough. The statutory homelessness statistics includes some, but not all, of the people provided with accommodation in response to COVID-19. Not all individuals assisted during the pandemic would have been owed a homelessness duty. Any individual not owed a homelessness duty would not be part of the local authority case level data submission to DLUHC and therefore would not be included in the statutory homelessness statistics. People sleeping rough will only be recorded in these statistics if they have made an application that has been accepted by the local authority.

There are 3 main groups that are not included in the statutory homelessness statistics that would be included in the management information. These include: people not eligible for statutory homelessness assistance because they are ‘persons from abroad’ specifically excluded by the legislation; people sleeping rough who did not engage with the assessment process required to take a homelessness application, or who were not owed a relief duty by the local authority; and people who were provided accommodation via upper tier local authorities, such as Greater London Authority (GLA) who do not have statutory homelessness duties, and do not provide data via the Homelessness Case Level Information Collection (HCLIC) data system.

Hidden homelessness

DLUHC produce other statistical releases that can help build up the wider homelessness picture. For example, the English Housing Survey publishes data on the number of people sofa surfing and concealed households in England, which are additional adults in a household who wanted to rent or buy but could not afford to do so. In addition, the CORE social housing lettings collection publishes data on those moving from homelessness into local authority/ private registered providers accommodation.

Expenditure on homelessness

DLUHC publish statistics on local authority revenue expenditure and financing in England. The RO4 return within the Revenue Outturn suite relates to housing services and includes information on local authorities’ expenditure on homelessness activities.

6.4 Revisions policy

This policy has been developed in accordance with the UK Statistics Authority Code of Practice for statistics and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Revisions Policy. There are two types of revisions that the policy covers:

Non-scheduled revisions

Where a substantial error has occurred as a result of the compilation, imputation or dissemination process. The statistical release, live tables and other accompanying releases will be updated with a correction notice as soon as is practical.

If a local authority notifies DLUHC of an error in the information they have submitted after publication of the release, a decision on whether to revise will be made based upon the impact of any change and the effect it has on the interpretation of the data.

Scheduled revisions

There are no scheduled revisions for this release.

6.5 Uses of the data

The data in this statistical release provide evidence on the prevalence of and trends in rough sleeping in England.

Within DLUHC they are used:

  • For ministerial briefing and correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information Act cases and to answer public enquiries.

  • As background to policy development.

  • For monitoring policy, allocating resources, performance monitoring and to support bids for funding from HM Treasury.

Outside DLUHC users include:

  • Local housing authorities for monitoring progress, planning and commissioning services to prevent and tackle rough sleeping.

  • Other government departments (e.g. Department for Health and Social Care, Public Health Outcomes Framework).

  • The voluntary sector and academics to monitor and evaluate housing policy and for campaigning and fundraising purposes.

  • EU bodies to compare homelessness across Europe (e.g. FEANTSA Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe).

6.6 User engagement

Users are encouraged to provide feedback on how these statistics are used and how well they meet user needs. Comments on any issues relating to this release are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact roughsleepingstatistics@levellingup.gov.uk if you have any feedback or comments.

See the department’s engagement strategy to meet the needs of statistics users.

6.7 Devolved administration statistics

The devolved administrations publish their own statistics on homelessness which contain information on rough sleeping:

Comparing between parts of the UK

The figures are not directly comparable across the UK as they have a different methodology, coverage and are carried out at different time periods. ONS published a report, UK homelessness: 2005 to 2018 and an interactive tool on the comparability and coherence of existing UK government data sources on homelessness. ONS have also published a report on rough sleeping in the UK.

Pre-release access

The pre-release access list gives details about the officials who have 24 hours pre-release access to the Department’s rough sleeping statistics prior to publication.

7. Enquiries

Media

Telephone: 0303 444 1209

Email: newsdesk@levellingup.gov.uk

Statistical enquiries

Telephone: 0303 444 2623 or 8941

Email: roughsleepingstatistics@levellingup.gov.uk

Responsible Analysts: Jon White & Sally Frost

Information on Official Statistics is available via the UK Statistics Authority website.

Information about statistics at DLUHC is available via the Department’s website.

8. Annex: Regional maps

The following regional maps detail the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 for each local authority in England.

8.1 London

Number of people sleeping rough in London on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Barking and Dagenham BraD Count 11
Barnet Barnt Estimate including spotlight 8
Bexley Bxly Estimate including spotlight 11
Brent Brent Estimate including spotlight 23
Bromley Brml Count 0
Camden Cmdn Count 90
City of London CtoL Count 43
Croydon Cryd Count 31
Ealing Elng Count 24
Enfield Enfl Estimate including spotlight 11
Greenwich Grnw Count 16
Hackney Hckn Count 11
Hammersmith and Fulham HmaF Count 7
Haringey Hrng Estimate including spotlight 26
Harrow Hrrw Count 9
Havering Hvrn Estimate including spotlight 5
Hillingdon Hlln Count 23
Hounslow Hnsl Count 1
Islington Isln Count 16
Kensington and Chelsea KnaC Count 9
Kingston upon Thames KnuT Count 35
Lambeth Lmbt Count 33
Lewisham Lwsh Count 8
Merton Mrtn Estimate including spotlight 6
Newham Nwhm Count 30
Redbridge Rdbr Estimate including spotlight 27
Richmond upon Thames RcuT Count 7
Southwark Sthw Count 14
Sutton Sttn Count 0
Tower Hamlets TwrH Estimate including spotlight 21
Waltham Forest WltF Estimate including spotlight 27
Wandsworth Wnds Count 25
Westminster Wstm Count 250

8.2 South East

Number of people sleeping rough in the South East on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Adur Adur Estimate including spotlight 5
Arun Arun Estimate including spotlight 9
Ashford Ashfr Estimate including spotlight 8
Basingstoke and Deane BsaD Estimate including spotlight 2
Bracknell Forest BrcF Count 2
Brighton and Hove BraH Count 41
Buckinghamshire Bckn Estimate including spotlight 16
Canterbury Cntr Estimate including spotlight 22
Cherwell Chrw Estimate including spotlight 17
Chichester Chch Estimate including spotlight 5
Crawley Crwl Estimate 10
Dartford Drtf Estimate including spotlight 4
Dover Dovr Count 6
East Hampshire EstHm Estimate including spotlight 6
Eastbourne Estb Estimate including spotlight 12
Eastleigh Estl Estimate 0
Elmbridge Elmb Estimate 6
Epsom and Ewell EpaE Estimate including spotlight 4
Fareham Frhm Estimate including spotlight 8
Folkestone and Hythe FlaH Count 12
Gosport Gspr Estimate including spotlight 3
Gravesham Grvs Estimate including spotlight 4
Guildford Gldf Estimate 6
Hart Hart Estimate 0
Hastings Hstn Estimate including spotlight 34
Havant Hvnt Estimate including spotlight 4
Horsham Hrsh Estimate including spotlight 6
Isle of Wight IsoW Estimate including spotlight 5
Lewes Lews Estimate including spotlight 11
Maidstone Mdst Estimate including spotlight 0
Medway Mdwy Count 12
Mid Sussex MdSs Estimate including spotlight 1
Milton Keynes MltK Count 24
Mole Valley MlVl Estimate including spotlight 4
New Forest NwFr Estimate including spotlight 4
Oxford Oxfr Count 27
Portsmouth Prts Count 16
Reading Rdng Estimate including spotlight 36
Reigate and Banstead RgaB Estimate including spotlight 3
Rother Rothr Estimate including spotlight 9
Runnymede Rnny Estimate 1
Rushmoor Rshm Estimate 5
Sevenoaks Svnk Count 1
Slough Slgh Estimate including spotlight 21
South Oxfordshire SthO Estimate 1
Southampton Sthm Estimate including spotlight 27
Spelthorne Splt Estimate 5
Surrey Heath SrrH Estimate 9
Swale Swal Estimate including spotlight 7
Tandridge Tndrd Estimate including spotlight 1
Test Valley TstV Estimate 3
Thanet Thnt Estimate including spotlight 14
Tonbridge and Malling TnaM Estimate 1
Tunbridge Wells TnbW Estimate including spotlight 1
Vale of White Horse VoWH Estimate 2
Waverley Wvrl Estimate 6
Wealden Wldn Estimate including spotlight 1
West Berkshire WstB Estimate including spotlight 8
West Oxfordshire WstO Estimate 3
Winchester Wnch Estimate including spotlight 4
Windsor and Maidenhead WnaM Estimate 10
Woking Wokng Estimate including spotlight 4
Wokingham Wkngh Estimate including spotlight 2
Worthing Wrth Estimate including spotlight 31

8.3 East of England

Number of people sleeping rough in the East of England on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Babergh Bbrg Estimate including spotlight 5
Basildon Bsld Count 1
Bedford Bdfr Estimate including spotlight 2
Braintree Brntr Estimate 3
Breckland Brck Estimate 15
Brentwood Brntw Estimate 0
Broadland Brdl Estimate 1
Broxbourne Brxb Estimate 2
Cambridge Cmbr Count 23
Castle Point CstP Estimate 2
Central Bedfordshire CntB Estimate including spotlight 4
Chelmsford Chlm Estimate 15
Colchester Clch Count 7
Dacorum Dcrm Estimate including spotlight 8
East Cambridgeshire EstC Estimate 5
East Hertfordshire EstHr Estimate 5
East Suffolk EstSf Estimate including spotlight 11
Epping Forest EppF Estimate 1
Fenland Fnln Count 14
Great Yarmouth GrtY Estimate including spotlight 7
Harlow Hrlw Estimate 4
Hertsmere Hrts Estimate 2
Huntingdonshire Hntn Estimate 4
Ipswich Ipsw Count 9
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk KLaWN Estimate 3
Luton Lutn Estimate including spotlight 11
Maldon Mldn Estimate 3
Mid Suffolk MdSf Estimate including spotlight 2
North Hertfordshire NrtH Estimate 1
North Norfolk NrthNrf Estimate 4
Norwich Nrwc Count 7
Peterborough Ptrb Count 24
Rochford Rchf Estimate 0
South Cambridgeshire SthC Estimate 5
South Norfolk SthN Estimate 0
Southend-on-Sea S–S Count 16
St Albans StAl Estimate including spotlight 7
Stevenage Stvn Estimate 8
Tendring Tndrn Estimate 11
Three Rivers ThrR Estimate 2
Thurrock Thrr Estimate including spotlight 7
Uttlesford Uttl Estimate 2
Watford Wtfr Count 10
Welwyn Hatfield WlwH Estimate including spotlight 6
West Suffolk WstS Estimate including spotlight 6

8.4 South West

Number of people sleeping rough in the South West on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Bath and North East Somerset BaNES Estimate including spotlight 12
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole BCaP Count 64
Bristol, City of B,Co Count 58
Cheltenham Chlt Estimate including spotlight 8
Cornwall Crnw Estimate including spotlight 43
Cotswold Ctsw Estimate 2
Dorset Drst Estimate including spotlight 12
East Devon EstD Estimate 7
Exeter Extr Count 22
Forest of Dean FroD Estimate 0
Gloucester Glcs Estimate including spotlight 14
Isles of Scilly IsoS Estimate including spotlight 0
Mendip Mndp Estimate including spotlight 19
Mid Devon MdDv Estimate 6
North Devon NrtD Estimate including spotlight 9
North Somerset NrtS Estimate including spotlight 11
Plymouth Plym Estimate including spotlight 24
Sedgemoor Sdgm Estimate including spotlight 9
Somerset West and Taunton SWaT Estimate 15
South Gloucestershire SthG Estimate 2
South Hams SthHm Estimate including spotlight 5
South Somerset SthSm Estimate including spotlight 5
Stroud Strd Estimate 2
Swindon Swnd Count 9
Teignbridge Tgnb Estimate including spotlight 9
Tewkesbury Twks Estimate 2
Torbay Trby Count 20
Torridge Trrd Estimate including spotlight 11
West Devon WstD Estimate 0
Wiltshire Wlts Estimate including spotlight 13

8.5 West Midlands

Number of people sleeping rough in the West Midlands on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Birmingham Brmn Estimate including spotlight 39
Bromsgrove Brms Estimate 0
Cannock Chase CnnC Estimate 4
Coventry Cvnt Count 13
Dudley Ddly Count 7
East Staffordshire EstSt Count 2
Herefordshire, County of H,Co Estimate including spotlight 24
Lichfield Lchf Estimate 4
Malvern Hills MlvH Estimate 7
Newcastle-under-Lyme N–L Estimate 6
North Warwickshire NrtW Estimate including spotlight 0
Nuneaton and Bedworth NnaB Estimate including spotlight 3
Redditch Rddt Estimate 2
Rugby Rgby Estimate including spotlight 6
Sandwell Sndw Estimate including spotlight 2
Shropshire Shrp Estimate including spotlight 16
Solihull Slhl Estimate including spotlight 8
South Staffordshire SthSt Estimate 1
Stafford Stff Estimate 10
Staffordshire Moorlands StfM Estimate including spotlight 0
Stoke-on-Trent Stk–T Estimate 24
Stratford-on-Avon S–A Estimate including spotlight 4
Tamworth Tmwr Estimate 2
Telford and Wrekin TlaW Estimate including spotlight 4
Walsall Wlsl Estimate including spotlight 8
Warwick Wrwc Estimate including spotlight 11
Wolverhampton Wlvr Estimate including spotlight 11
Worcester Wrcs Estimate including spotlight 21
Wychavon Wych Estimate 8
Wyre Forest WyrF Estimate 3

8.6 East Midlands

Number of people sleeping rough in the East Midlands on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Amber Valley AmbV Estimate including spotlight 0
Ashfield Ashfl Estimate including spotlight 4
Bassetlaw Bsst Estimate including spotlight 8
Blaby Blby Estimate 0
Bolsover Blsv Estimate including spotlight 1
Boston Bstn Estimate including spotlight 5
Broxtowe Brxt Estimate including spotlight 2
Charnwood Chrn Estimate including spotlight 6
Chesterfield Chst Estimate including spotlight 1
Derby Drby Estimate including spotlight 12
Derbyshire Dales DrbD Estimate including spotlight 2
East Lindsey EstL Estimate including spotlight 9
Erewash Erws Estimate including spotlight 3
Gedling Gdln Estimate including spotlight 1
Harborough Hrbr Estimate 3
High Peak HghP Estimate including spotlight 3
Hinckley and Bosworth HnaB Estimate including spotlight 3
Leicester Lcst Count 34
Lincoln Lncl Estimate including spotlight 11
Mansfield Mnsf Estimate including spotlight 9
Melton Mltn Estimate including spotlight 3
Newark and Sherwood NwaS Estimate including spotlight 3
North East Derbyshire NrED Estimate including spotlight 0
North Kesteven NrtK Estimate including spotlight 1
North Northamptonshire NrthNrt Estimate including spotlight 16
North West Leicestershire NrWL Estimate including spotlight 0
Nottingham Nttn Count 27
Oadby and Wigston OdaW Estimate including spotlight 0
Rushcliffe Rshc Estimate including spotlight 4
Rutland Rtln Estimate 0
South Derbyshire SthD Estimate including spotlight 1
South Holland SthHl Estimate including spotlight 7
South Kesteven SthK Estimate 7
West Lindsey WstLnd Estimate 2
West Northamptonshire WstN Estimate including spotlight 25

8.7 Yorkshire and The Humber

Number of people sleeping rough in Yorkshire and The Humber on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Barnsley Brns Estimate including spotlight 5
Bradford Brdf Estimate including spotlight 13
Calderdale Cldr Estimate including spotlight 3
Craven Crvn Estimate 9
Doncaster Dncs Estimate including spotlight 13
East Riding of Yorkshire ERoY Estimate including spotlight 8
Hambleton Hmbl Estimate 1
Harrogate Hrrg Estimate 2
Kingston upon Hull, City of KuHCo Estimate including spotlight 10
Kirklees Krkl Estimate 3
Leeds Leds Count 37
North East Lincolnshire NrEL Estimate including spotlight 10
North Lincolnshire NrtL Estimate 5
Richmondshire Rchm Estimate 0
Rotherham Rthrh Estimate including spotlight 0
Ryedale Rydl Estimate 2
Scarborough Scrb Estimate 18
Selby Slby Estimate including spotlight 0
Sheffield Shff Count 15
Wakefield Wkfl Estimate including spotlight 7
York York Estimate including spotlight 9

8.8 North West

Number of people sleeping rough in the North West on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
Allerdale Allr Estimate 2
Barrow-in-Furness B–F Estimate 4
Blackburn with Darwen BlwD Estimate 10
Blackpool Blck Estimate including spotlight 7
Bolton Bltn Estimate including spotlight 2
Burnley Brnl Estimate including spotlight 4
Bury Bury Estimate 5
Carlisle Crls Estimate 0
Cheshire East ChsE Estimate 11
Cheshire West and Chester CWaC Estimate including spotlight 10
Chorley Chrl Estimate 6
Copeland Cpln Estimate 1
Eden Eden Estimate 0
Fylde Fyld Count 2
Halton Hltn Estimate including spotlight 3
Hyndburn Hynd Estimate 3
Knowsley Knws Estimate including spotlight 0
Lancaster Lncs Estimate including spotlight 9
Liverpool Lvrp Count 36
Manchester Mnch Count 58
Oldham Oldh Estimate including spotlight 3
Pendle Pndl Estimate including spotlight 0
Preston Prst Count 13
Ribble Valley RbbV Estimate 0
Rochdale Rchd Estimate including spotlight 5
Rossendale Rssn Estimate 2
Salford Slfr Estimate including spotlight 6
Sefton Sftn Estimate including spotlight 0
South Lakeland SthL Estimate 1
South Ribble SthR Estimate 2
St. Helens St.H Estimate including spotlight 3
Stockport Stck Estimate including spotlight 11
Tameside Tmsd Estimate including spotlight 4
Trafford Trff Count 4
Warrington Wrrn Estimate including spotlight 12
West Lancashire WstLnc Estimate 0
Wigan Wign Estimate including spotlight 4
Wirral Wrrl Estimate including spotlight 2
Wyre Wyre Estimate 2

8.9 North East

Number of people sleeping rough in the North East on a single night in autumn 2022

Local Authority Abbreviation Approach Single night estimate
County Durham CntD Estimate including spotlight 8
Darlington Drln Estimate including spotlight 4
Gateshead Gtsh Estimate including spotlight 1
Hartlepool Hrtl Estimate 6
Middlesbrough Mddl Count 6
Newcastle upon Tyne NwuT Count 14
North Tyneside NrtT Estimate 2
Northumberland Nrth Estimate 5
Redcar and Cleveland RdaC Estimate including spotlight 6
South Tyneside SthT Estimate including spotlight 4
Stockton-on-Tees Stc–T Estimate including spotlight 3
Sunderland Sndr Count 2

Footnotes:

  1. ONS mid-2021 population estimates. ↩

  2. Demographic information was collected for the first time in 2016. The totals included ‘Not known’ but not all local authorities were able to provide exact numbers of these ‘Not known’ responses. Therefore this information is not comparable with later years. ↩

  3. Only approach changes from a “Count-based estimate” to “Evidence-based estimate” or “Evidence-based estimate” to a “Count-based estimate” were considered as a change in approach. “Evidence-based estimate” to “Evidence-based estimate including spotlight” (or vice versa) were not recognised as a change in approach. We did not routinely collect and report information about evidence-based estimates including spotlight counts before 2018 despite this approach being available - these were all classified as estimates. ↩

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