Official Statistics

Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2023

Published 29 February 2024

Applies to England

1. Main findings

• 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)^{[footnote 1]}.

• 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, where there were 1,132 people this year compared to 858 people in 2022, an increase of 274 people or 32%.

• 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.

• Increases have been driven by a small number of local authorities. Over half the increase in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night is driven by 20 local authorities (7% of all areas). 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.

• Alongside these statistics, we are also publishing the Ending Rough Sleeping Data Framework. These metrics measure progress towards preventing rough sleeping wherever possible, and where it does occur ensuring it is rare, brief, and non-recurring. This management information gives more recent and more detailed information about people sleeping rough, albeit without the greater verification of the annual snapshot official statistics.

Date of next publication: It is expected that the autumn 2024 rough sleeping snapshot will be published in early 2025. 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 in Autumn 2023 ^{[footnote 2]} 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 changes year-on-year.

There are a range of  factors that can affect the number of people who sleep rough on any given night. For example, the availability of night shelters, the weather, and where people choose to sleep. The date and the time chosen for the snapshot estimate can also impact the numbers. During the COVID-19 pandemic the government launched a range of measures to protect people who sleep rough which also had an impact. 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.

In  May 2023, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities launched a new framework across all local authorities in England. This  sets out a clear and defined vision for ending rough sleeping, which is that it is prevented wherever possible, and where it does occur it is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Alongside this year’s snapshot statistics, we have published the latest quarterly update of the Ending Rough Sleeping Data Framework management information up to December 2023, to track progress about the five core indicators of the framework, that sit under the four aims of the vision. This includes 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.

The new data framework will be relevant to people working locally to end rough sleeping, and is an important step towards driving better outcomes and realising the cross-government goal to end rough sleeping.

We are committed to publishing the management information on a quarterly basis, as set out in the cross-government strategy Ending Rough Sleeping for Good.

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 is important to consider how they can and cannot 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.
• 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 women 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.
• Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).

1.4 Government support for people sleeping rough

• In September 2022, the government published the cross-government strategy Ending Rough Sleeping for Good, which is supported by an almost £2.4 billion investment from 2022 to 2025 to achieve the aims set out in the strategy. This is an increase from the £2 billion initially secured in 2021.
• As part of this, the government, recently announced the award of further funding for three Homelessness and Rough Sleeping grants: £107m allocated through the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), £109m allocated to councils across England as a top up to the Homelessness Prevention Grant to help address Ukraine and Homelessness pressures; and £6m allocated to London and across 101 local authorities in England, via the 2023/24 Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures funding, bringing the total of the fund to £10m.
• Since March 2018, the government has funded the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI), which enables local authorities to provide specialist services to help the most vulnerable people in society off the streets and into secure accommodation. It funds a variety of services from accommodation, Housing First, outreach staff and specialist services to support people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough to secure the best chance of a safe and sustainable life off the streets.
• The government is investing over £547 million in funding to local authorities across England from 2022 to 2025 through RSI. This includes an additional investment of over £47 million announced in September 2023 and January 2024.
• The government is also investing in accommodation for people who sleep rough through the £433 million Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP), which is delivering 6,000 units for people who sleep rough, in addition to the new £200m Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP). This programme is bringing forward new accommodation for adults and young people leaving a long-term legacy which will continue to benefit vulnerable people into the future.
• These programmes build on the measures put in place during the pandemic. 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.

2. Rough sleeping snapshot

2.1 National

The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 was 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 has risen for the second year in a row, but is lower than its peak in 2017.  This is also lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, but remains higher than in 2010 when the snapshot approach was first introduced.

There were 3,898 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 in England. This was an increase of 829 people or 27% from 2022 and an increase of 2,130 people or 120% since 2010 when the snapshot approach was first introduced, but was a decrease of 853 people or 18% since the peak in 2017.

In London, there were 1,132 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023. This was an increase of 274 people or a 32% increase from 2022 and an increase of 717 people or 172% since 2010, but was a decrease of 151 people or 12% since London’s peak in 2018.

Across the Rest of England, there were 2,766 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023. This is up by 555 people or 25% from 2022 and 1,413 people or 104% since 2010, but is a decrease of 848 people or 23% from its peak in 2017.

Overall, the increase has been driven by small number of local authorities. Over half the increase in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night is driven by 20 areas (7% of all areas). In just over two-fifths of areas (42%) the number of people sleeping rough decreased or stayed the same compared to 2022.

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
2023	3,898	27	1,132	32	2,766	25

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 (46%) of all people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were 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 local authorities.

Yorkshire and Humber had the largest percentage increase in number of people sleeping rough, compared to other regions, up 59% on last year.

The largest increase  in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 was in London, where there were 1,132 people this year compared to 858 people last year.

The largest percentage increase in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 was in Yorkshire and Humber, up 59% from 170 people last year to 270 people this year.

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

Area	2022	2023	Difference	% Change
West Midlands	250	256	6	2
North East	61	89	28	46
East of England	285	337	52	18
East Midlands	213	287	74	35
South West	413	488	75	18
South East	572	670	98	17
Yorkshire and The Humber	170	270	100	59
North West	247	369	122	49
London	858	1,132	274	32
Rest of England	2,211	2,766	555	25
England	3,069	3,898	829	27

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 (46%) 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 is 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 2023 by region.

2.3 Local Authority

Westminster had the highest number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023. 

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

The largest decrease  in the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn was in North Yorkshire^{[footnote 3]}.

The local authority with the highest number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 was Westminster where 277 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.

Westminster City Council published a statement of intent in 2023 which extends their Rough Sleeping Strategy 2017-2022. This suggests that Westminster has the highest number of people sleeping rough due to the availability of services, relatively safe and dry areas to sleep, presence of existing rough sleepers and access to drug markets.     

Table 2.3.1: Local authorities with the highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 compared to previous year.

Local Authority	2022	2023	Difference	% Change
Westminster	250	277	27	11
Camden	90	121	31	34
Bristol, City of	58	67	9	16
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	64	64	0	0
City of London	43	61	18	42
Somerset	48	57	9	19
Ealing	24	53	29	121
Brighton and Hove	41	52	11	27
Redbridge	27	51	24	89
Leeds	37	49	12	32

Figure 2.3.1: Local authorities with the highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023.

The largest increase in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough was in Camden, where there were 121 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023, compared to 90 in 2022, which is an increase of 31 people.

Generally, the largest increases in the number of people sleeping rough, according to the local authorities involved, were thought to be due to a range of factors. These include, but are not limited to, an increase in those with restricted eligibility  to public funds, an increase in the numbers of people sleeping rough with multiple complex needs, an increase in pressure  on wider homelessness services and limited suitable housing pathways available.

Table 2.3.2: Local authorities with the largest increase in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 compared to previous year.

Local Authority	2022	2023	Difference	% Change
Camden	90	121	31	34
Ealing	24	53	29	121
Kingston upon Hull, City of	10	39	29	290

Figure 2.3.2: Local authorities with the largest increase in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 compared to previous year. 

The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough increased in 58% of local authority areas compared to 2022. Over 50% of the change in the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough was driven by 20 local authorities (7% of all local authorities).

The largest decrease in the number of people sleeping rough was in North Yorkshire, where 14 people were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 compared to 32 in 2022, a decrease of 18 people.

Rough sleeping on a single night has fallen or remained the same in 42% of all local authorities since last year.

Generally, the largest decreases in the number of people sleeping rough, according to the local authorities involved, were due to a combination of government funding through RSI and provision of emergency accommodation. Local authorities also cited improved links with partner agencies and specific schemes helping people sleeping rough to access and sustain accommodation.

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)  and the availability of night shelters.  The date and time chosen for the snapshot may also impact numbers.

Table 2.3.3: Local authorities with the largest decrease in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 compared to previous year.

Local Authority	2022	2023	Difference	% Change
North Yorkshire	32	14	-18	-56
Worthing	31	17	-14	-45
Croydon	31	19	-12	-39
Cherwell	17	7	-10	-59
Herefordshire, County of	24	14	-10	-42

Figure 2.3.3: Local authorities with the largest decrease in the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 compared to previous 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 4]}.

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 unknown. If it was not possible to record demographic information, due to an individual being asleep when they were approached 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.

3.1 Age

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

The majority of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 were aged over 26 years old, 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 was one person under the age of 18 found sleeping rough in this year’s snapshot.

In 2023, there were 3,189 people (82% of the total) sleeping rough on a single night in autumn who were aged 26 years or over and 201 people (5 % of the total) who were aged between 18 and 25 years. The age of people sleeping rough was ‘Not known’ for 507 people (13% of the total), and one person was under 18.

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	Over 26	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
2023	1	201	3,189	507	3,898

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 by age and region.

Area	Under 18	18 - 25	Over 26	Not Known
England	0	5	82	13
Rest of England	0	6	85	9
London	0	4	73	23

3.2 Gender

The majority of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were male. 

In 2023, there were 3,214 men (82% of the total) and 568 women (15% of the total) sleeping rough on a single night in autumn. Gender was ‘Not known’ for 116 people (3%). 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
2023	3,214	568	116	3,898

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 by gender and region.

Area	Male	Female	Not Known
England	82	15	3
Rest of England	83	15	2
London	80	14	6

3.3 Nationality

The majority of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were from the UK. This is similar to previous years.

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.  

In 2023, there were 2,420 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a  single night who were from the UK (62% of the total), 718 people (18% of the total) were EU nationals and 336 people (9% of the total) were from outside the EU. The nationality of 424 people (11% 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	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
2023	2,420	718	336	424	3,898

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

In London, just under half of the people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were from outside the UK in 2023 (48% of the total). In total, 357 people were from the UK (31% of the total), 360 people (32% of the total) were EU nationals and 190 people (17% of the total) were from outside the EU and the UK. The nationality of 230 people (20% of the total) was ‘Not known’.

Across the Rest of England, 2,063 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn were from the UK (74% of the total), 360 people were EU nationals (13% of total), 140 people were from outside the EU and the UK (5% of total) and for 200 people (7% of the total) nationality was ‘Not known’.

Table 3.3.2: Proportion of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn by nationality and region since 2017.

Area	UK	EU	Non-EU	Not Known
England	62	18	9	11
Rest of England	75	13	5	7
London	31	32	17	20

There were 2,420 people from the UK estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in 2023 compared to 1,966 last year, which is an increase of 454 people, or 23%. The overall proportion has decreased from 64% in 2022 to 62% in 2023.

There were 718 EU nationals estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in 2023 compared to 632 people in 2022, which is an increase of 86 people or 14%. The overall proportion has decreased from 21% in 2022 to 18% in 2022.

There were 336 people from outside the EU and UK estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in 2023 compared to 179 people in 2022, which is an increase of 157 people or 88%. The overall proportion has increased from 6% in 2023 to 9% in 2023.

There was also a large increase in the number of people sleeping rough whose nationality was ‘Not Known’ compared to last year, rising from 292 in 2022 to 424 in 2023, which is an increase of 132 people or 45%. This 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	2022	2023	Difference	% change
UK	1,966	2,420	454	23
EU	632	718	86	14
Non-EU	179	336	157	88
Not Known	292	424	132	45
Total	3,069	3,898	829	27

4. Snapshot approach

The majority of local authorities (95%) 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 2023, 237 local authorities (80%) used an evidence-based estimate meeting or an evidence-based estimate meeting including spotlight count for their rough sleeping snapshot and 59 local authorities (20%) used a count-based estimate.

Figure 4.1: Approach used by local authorities for their rough sleeping snapshot since 2010.

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 do not know how this compares with earlier years, as although this approach was available, only a distinction between evidence-based estimate meetings and count-based estimates were recorded and published at the time.

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

Approach	2022	2023
Count-based estimate	61	59
Evidence-based estimate meeting	93	76
Evidence-based estimate meeting (inc. spotlight count)	155	161
Total	309	296

Local authorities can change approach ^{[footnote 5]} 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 verified 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 were 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 from an evidence-based estimate to a count-based estimate or vice versa 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 overtime 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  for their rough sleeping snapshot to previous year.

5. Consultation with local agencies

Two thirds of local authorities consulted five or more agencies for their snapshot estimate. 

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

Local authorities consult local agencies, such as the police, voluntary sector and outreach teams  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. Every local authority reported that they had consulted with at least one type of local agency, and 66% reported that they had consulted five or more different groups.

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 all local authorities (296) provided figures that were verified by Homeless Link. This means the guidance has been followed properly by all local authorities when conducting their snapshot estimate. 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 2023, nearly all local authorities involved outreach workers, the police and the voluntary sector in their rough sleeping snapshot. The majority of local authorities also involved substance misuse teams and faith groups.

Figure 5.2: Local partners most commonly involved in 2019 rough sleeping snapshot.

6. Technical notes

6.1 Data tables, interactive dashboard and technical report

Seven accompanying tables are available alongside this release. These include the number of people sleeping rough, demographic information (i.e. age, gender, nationality), the snapshot approach used and any consultations that took place with local agencies. An interactive dashboard and infographic 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. For example, the availability of night shelters, the weather, and where people choose to sleep. The date and the time chosen for the snapshot estimate can also impact the numbers.

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 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.

6.3 Related statistics

DLUHC Related Statistics

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.

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

Ending rough sleeping data framework management information

DLUHC also collects and publishes management information about ending rough sleeping, preventing it wherever possible, and where it does occur ensuring it is rare, brief, and non-recurring.

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 the latest quarterly update of Ending Rough Sleeping Data Framework management information, up to December 2023.

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 homelessness duty. This includes households who approach the council for help with housing who are sleeping rough. People sleeping rough will only be recorded in these statistics if they have made an application that has been accepted by the local authority.

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.

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 2023 shows the number of people seen or thought to be sleeping rough on a single night between 1 October and 30 November 2023. 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.

The ONS are currently consulting on health and social care statistics, including the annual homeless death statistics. Further details on the consultation can be found at: Health and social care statistical outputs published by DHSC (including OHID), NHSBSA, UKHSA, ONS and NHS England 

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.

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 the Treasury.

Outside of 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 statistical release are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact roughsleepingstatistics@levellingup.gov.uk if you have any feedback or comments.

The Department have published an 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:

• The Scottish Government publishes figures on the number of households applying to the local authority for assistance under homelessness legislation who say they have slept rough the previous night or have reported their housing situation as ‘long term roofless’.
• The Welsh Government publishes management information on persons placed into temporary accommodation and rough sleepers.
• The governing legislation for homelessness in Northern Ireland is the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (as amended). Unlike the other three UK nations, housing is allocated by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), which covers the whole of Northern Ireland, rather than by local authorities. In Northern Ireland, statistics on homelessness are obtained from the NIHE. They carry out an annual street count in Belfast in partnership with other local agencies and homeless organisations.

Comparing between UK countries

The figures are not directly comparable between parts of the UK as they have a different methodology, coverage and are carried out at different time periods. ONS published a report 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 & Hudson Farley-Moore

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

Information about statistics at DLUHC is available via the Depatment’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 2023 for each local authority in England.

8.1 London

Number of people sleeping rough in London on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Barking and Dagenham	BraD	Count	22
Barnet	Barnt	Estimate including spotlight	9
Bexley	Bxly	Count	11
Brent	Brent	Estimate including spotlight	33
Bromley	Brml	Estimate including spotlight	5
Camden	Cmdn	Count	121
City of London	CtoL	Count	61
Croydon	Cryd	Count	19
Ealing	Elng	Count	53
Enfield	Enfl	Estimate including spotlight	13
Greenwich	Grnw	Count	35
Hackney	Hckn	Count	15
Hammersmith and Fulham	HmaF	Count	14
Haringey	Hrng	Estimate including spotlight	48
Harrow	Hrrw	Count	10
Havering	Hvrn	Estimate including spotlight	8
Hillingdon	Hlln	Count	35
Hounslow	Hnsl	Estimate including spotlight	14
Islington	Isln	Count	15
Kensington and Chelsea	KnaC	Count	8
Kingston upon Thames	KnuT	Count	27
Lambeth	Lmbt	Count	44
Lewisham	Lwsh	Count	14
Merton	Mrtn	Estimate including spotlight	13
Newham	Nwhm	Estimate including spotlight	22
Redbridge	Rdbr	Estimate including spotlight	51
Richmond upon Thames	RcuT	Count	9
Southwark	Sthw	Count	42
Sutton	Sttn	Estimate including spotlight	7
Tower Hamlets	TwrH	Estimate including spotlight	32
Waltham Forest	WltF	Estimate including spotlight	25
Wandsworth	Wnds	Count	20
Westminster	Wstm	Count	277

8.2 South East

Number of people sleeping rough in the South East on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Adur	Adur	Estimate including spotlight	1
Arun	Arun	Estimate including spotlight	11
Ashford	Ashfr	Estimate including spotlight	8
Basingstoke and Deane	BsaD	Estimate including spotlight	4
Bracknell Forest	BrcF	Count	7
Brighton and Hove	BraH	Count	52
Buckinghamshire	Bckn	Estimate including spotlight	17
Canterbury	Cntr	Estimate including spotlight	33
Cherwell	Chrw	Estimate including spotlight	7
Chichester	Chch	Estimate including spotlight	3
Crawley	Crwl	Estimate including spotlight	16
Dartford	Drtf	Estimate including spotlight	3
Dover	Dovr	Count	9
East Hampshire	EstHm	Estimate including spotlight	2
Eastbourne	Estb	Estimate including spotlight	37
Eastleigh	Estl	Estimate	2
Elmbridge	Elmb	Estimate	8
Epsom and Ewell	EpaE	Estimate including spotlight	2
Fareham	Frhm	Estimate including spotlight	4
Folkestone and Hythe	FlaH	Count	16
Gosport	Gspr	Estimate including spotlight	1
Gravesham	Grvs	Estimate including spotlight	11
Guildford	Gldf	Estimate including spotlight	8
Hart	Hart	Estimate	4
Hastings	Hstn	Estimate including spotlight	31
Havant	Hvnt	Estimate including spotlight	2
Horsham	Hrsh	Estimate including spotlight	2
Isle of Wight	IsoW	Estimate including spotlight	3
Lewes	Lews	Estimate	6
Maidstone	Mdst	Estimate including spotlight	6
Medway	Mdwy	Count	20
Mid Sussex	MdSs	Estimate including spotlight	5
Milton Keynes	MltK	Count	16
Mole Valley	MlVl	Estimate including spotlight	1
New Forest	NwFr	Estimate including spotlight	2
Oxford	Oxfr	Count	46
Portsmouth	Prts	Count	11
Reading	Rdng	Count	36
Reigate and Banstead	RgaB	Estimate including spotlight	6
Rother	Rothr	Estimate including spotlight	5
Runnymede	Rnny	Estimate	3
Rushmoor	Rshm	Estimate including spotlight	0
Sevenoaks	Svnk	Count	1
Slough	Slgh	Count	34
South Oxfordshire	SthO	Estimate	3
Southampton	Sthm	Estimate including spotlight	24
Spelthorne	Splt	Estimate	5
Surrey Heath	SrrH	Estimate	8
Swale	Swal	Estimate including spotlight	11
Tandridge	Tndrd	Estimate including spotlight	3
Test Valley	TstV	Estimate	4
Thanet	Thnt	Estimate including spotlight	23
Tonbridge and Malling	TnaM	Estimate	1
Tunbridge Wells	TnbW	Estimate including spotlight	4
Vale of White Horse	VoWH	Estimate	1
Waverley	Wvrl	Estimate	3
Wealden	Wldn	Estimate	6
West Berkshire	WstB	Estimate including spotlight	7
West Oxfordshire	WstO	Estimate	3
Winchester	Wnch	Estimate including spotlight	5
Windsor and Maidenhead	WnaM	Estimate	25
Woking	Wokng	Estimate including spotlight	9
Wokingham	Wkngh	Estimate including spotlight	6
Worthing	Wrth	Estimate including spotlight	17

8.3 East of England

Number of people sleeping rough in the East of England on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Babergh	Bbrg	Estimate including spotlight	5
Basildon	Bsld	Count	4
Bedford	Bdfr	Estimate including spotlight	18
Braintree	Brntr	Estimate	7
Breckland	Brck	Estimate	6
Brentwood	Brntw	Estimate	1
Broadland	Brdl	Estimate	1
Broxbourne	Brxb	Estimate	6
Cambridge	Cmbr	Count	24
Castle Point	CstP	Estimate	2
Central Bedfordshire	CntB	Estimate including spotlight	13
Chelmsford	Chlm	Estimate	18
Colchester	Clch	Count	4
Dacorum	Dcrm	Estimate including spotlight	7
East Cambridgeshire	EstC	Estimate	1
East Hertfordshire	EstHr	Estimate	7
East Suffolk	EstSf	Estimate including spotlight	11
Epping Forest	EppF	Estimate	4
Fenland	Fnln	Count	10
Great Yarmouth	GrtY	Estimate including spotlight	8
Harlow	Hrlw	Estimate	7
Hertsmere	Hrts	Estimate	6
Huntingdonshire	Hntn	Estimate	1
Ipswich	Ipsw	Count	5
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk	KLaWN	Estimate	2
Luton	Lutn	Estimate including spotlight	18
Maldon	Mldn	Estimate	0
Mid Suffolk	MdSf	Estimate including spotlight	1
North Hertfordshire	NrtH	Estimate	9
North Norfolk	NrthNrf	Estimate	1
Norwich	Nrwc	Count	5
Peterborough	Ptrb	Count	24
Rochford	Rchf	Estimate	2
South Cambridgeshire	SthC	Estimate	2
South Norfolk	SthN	Estimate	7
Southend-on-Sea	S–S	Count	35
St Albans	StAl	Estimate including spotlight	8
Stevenage	Stvn	Estimate	11
Tendring	Tndrn	Estimate including spotlight	7
Three Rivers	ThrR	Estimate	2
Thurrock	Thrr	Estimate including spotlight	6
Uttlesford	Uttl	Estimate	0
Watford	Wtfr	Estimate including spotlight	8
Welwyn Hatfield	WlwH	Estimate including spotlight	5
West Suffolk	WstS	Estimate including spotlight	8

8.4 South West

Number of people sleeping rough in the South West on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Bath and North East Somerset	BaNES	Estimate including spotlight	15
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	BCaP	Count	64
Bristol, City of	B,Co	Count	67
Cheltenham	Chlt	Estimate including spotlight	5
Cornwall	Crnw	Estimate including spotlight	43
Cotswold	Ctsw	Estimate	0
Dorset	Drst	Estimate including spotlight	15
East Devon	EstD	Estimate	10
Exeter	Extr	Count	23
Forest of Dean	FroD	Estimate	4
Gloucester	Glcs	Estimate including spotlight	19
Isles of Scilly	IsoS	Estimate including spotlight	0
Mid Devon	MdDv	Estimate	9
North Devon	NrtD	Estimate including spotlight	7
North Somerset	NrtS	Estimate including spotlight	18
Plymouth	Plym	Estimate including spotlight	41
Somerset	SC(U	Estimate including spotlight	57
South Gloucestershire	SthG	Estimate	3
South Hams	SthHm	Estimate including spotlight	5
Stroud	Strd	Estimate	1
Swindon	Swnd	Estimate including spotlight	15
Teignbridge	Tgnb	Estimate including spotlight	8
Tewkesbury	Twks	Estimate	2
Torbay	Trby	Count	27
Torridge	Trrd	Estimate including spotlight	14
West Devon	WstD	Estimate	0
Wiltshire	Wlts	Estimate including spotlight	16

8.5 West Midlands

Number of people sleeping rough in the West Midlands on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Birmingham	Brmn	Estimate including spotlight	36
Bromsgrove	Brms	Estimate	2
Cannock Chase	CnnC	Estimate	3
Coventry	Cvnt	Count	11
Dudley	Ddly	Estimate including spotlight	5
East Staffordshire	EstSt	Count	3
Herefordshire, County of	H,Co	Estimate including spotlight	14
Lichfield	Lchf	Estimate	2
Malvern Hills	MlvH	Estimate	9
Newcastle-under-Lyme	N–L	Estimate	10
North Warwickshire	NrtW	Estimate including spotlight	0
Nuneaton and Bedworth	NnaB	Estimate including spotlight	10
Redditch	Rddt	Estimate	6
Rugby	Rgby	Estimate including spotlight	4
Sandwell	Sndw	Estimate including spotlight	3
Shropshire	Shrp	Estimate including spotlight	21
Solihull	Slhl	Estimate including spotlight	6
South Staffordshire	SthS	Estimate	0
Stafford	Stff	Estimate	12
Staffordshire Moorlands	StfM	Estimate including spotlight	1
Stoke-on-Trent	Stk–T	Estimate	25
Stratford-on-Avon	S–A	Estimate including spotlight	2
Tamworth	Tmwr	Estimate	0
Telford and Wrekin	TlaW	Estimate including spotlight	10
Walsall	Wlsl	Estimate including spotlight	8
Warwick	Wrwc	Estimate including spotlight	7
Wolverhampton	Wlvr	Estimate including spotlight	6
Worcester	Wrcs	Estimate including spotlight	20
Wychavon	Wych	Estimate	15
Wyre Forest	WyrF	Estimate	5

8.6 East Midlands

Number of people sleeping rough in the East Midlands on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Amber Valley	AmbV	Estimate including spotlight	1
Ashfield	Ashfl	Estimate including spotlight	4
Bassetlaw	Bsst	Estimate including spotlight	5
Blaby	Blby	Estimate including spotlight	2
Bolsover	Blsv	Estimate including spotlight	1
Boston	Bstn	Estimate including spotlight	15
Broxtowe	Brxt	Estimate including spotlight	1
Charnwood	Chrn	Estimate including spotlight	16
Chesterfield	Chst	Estimate including spotlight	8
Derby	Drby	Estimate including spotlight	18
Derbyshire Dales	DrbD	Estimate including spotlight	1
East Lindsey	EstL	Estimate including spotlight	9
Erewash	Erws	Estimate including spotlight	3
Gedling	Gdln	Estimate including spotlight	4
Harborough	Hrbr	Estimate including spotlight	3
High Peak	HghP	Estimate including spotlight	3
Hinckley and Bosworth	HnaB	Estimate including spotlight	5
Leicester	Lcst	Count	26
Lincoln	Lncl	Estimate including spotlight	15
Mansfield	Mnsf	Estimate including spotlight	10
Melton	Mltn	Estimate including spotlight	0
Newark and Sherwood	NwaS	Estimate including spotlight	1
North East Derbyshire	NrED	Estimate including spotlight	2
North Kesteven	NrtK	Estimate	2
North Northamptonshire	NrthNrt	Estimate including spotlight	14
North West Leicestershire	NrWL	Estimate including spotlight	1
Nottingham	Nttn	Count	46
Oadby and Wigston	OdaW	Estimate including spotlight	0
Rushcliffe	Rshc	Estimate including spotlight	8
Rutland	Rtln	Estimate including spotlight	1
South Derbyshire	SthD	Estimate including spotlight	1
South Holland	SthHl	Estimate including spotlight	10
South Kesteven	SthK	Estimate	9
West Lindsey	WstLnd	Estimate	6
West Northamptonshire	WstN	Estimate including spotlight	36

8.7 Yorkshire and The Humber

Number of people sleeping rough in Yorkshire and The Humber on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Barnsley	Brns	Estimate including spotlight	8
Bradford	Brdf	Estimate including spotlight	40
Calderdale	Cldr	Estimate including spotlight	2
Doncaster	Dncs	Estimate including spotlight	23
East Riding of Yorkshire	ERoY	Estimate including spotlight	8
Kingston upon Hull, City of	KuHCo	Estimate including spotlight	39
Kirklees	Krkl	Estimate	14
Leeds	Leds	Count	49
North East Lincolnshire	NrEL	Estimate including spotlight	14
North Lincolnshire	NrtL	Count	1
North Yorkshire Council (UA)	NYC(	Estimate including spotlight	14
Rotherham	Rthrh	Estimate including spotlight	7
Sheffield	Shff	Count	31
Wakefield	Wkfl	Estimate including spotlight	5
York	York	Estimate including spotlight	15

8.8 North West

Number of people sleeping rough in the North West on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
Blackburn with Darwen	BlwD	Estimate	6
Blackpool	Blck	Estimate including spotlight	21
Bolton	Bltn	Estimate including spotlight	5
Burnley	Brnl	Estimate including spotlight	7
Bury	Bury	Count	15
Cheshire East	ChsE	Estimate	12
Cheshire West and Chester	CWaC	Estimate including spotlight	22
Chorley	Chrl	Estimate	6
Cumberland Council	CmbC	Estimate	4
Fylde	Fyld	Count	1
Halton	Hltn	Estimate including spotlight	4
Hyndburn	Hynd	Estimate	8
Knowsley	Knws	Estimate including spotlight	2
Lancaster	Lncs	Count	14
Liverpool	Lvrp	Count	34
Manchester	Mnch	Count	48
Oldham	Oldh	Estimate including spotlight	0
Pendle	Pndl	Estimate including spotlight	5
Preston	Prst	Estimate including spotlight	27
Ribble Valley	RbbV	Estimate	1
Rochdale	Rchd	Estimate including spotlight	6
Rossendale	Rssn	Estimate	0
Salford	Slfr	Estimate including spotlight	19
Sefton	Sftn	Estimate including spotlight	3
South Ribble	SthR	Estimate	2
St. Helens	St.H	Estimate including spotlight	6
Stockport	Stck	Estimate including spotlight	25
Tameside	Tmsd	Estimate including spotlight	20
Trafford	Trff	Count	0
Warrington	Wrrn	Estimate including spotlight	21
West Lancashire	WstLnc	Estimate	5
Westmorland and Furness Council	WaFC	Estimate	6
Wigan	Wign	Estimate including spotlight	11
Wirral	Wrrl	Estimate including spotlight	3
Wyre	Wyre	Estimate	0

8.9 North East

Number of people sleeping rough in the North East on a single night in autumn 2023

Local Authority	Abbreviation	Approach	Single night estimate
County Durham	CntD	Estimate including spotlight	11
Darlington	Drln	Estimate	7
Gateshead	Gtsh	Estimate including spotlight	4
Hartlepool	Hrtl	Estimate including spotlight	5
Middlesbrough	Mddl	Count	18
Newcastle upon Tyne	NwuT	Count	26
North Tyneside	NrtT	Estimate	3
Northumberland	Nrth	Estimate	8
Redcar and Cleveland	RdaC	Estimate including spotlight	0
South Tyneside	SthT	Estimate including spotlight	4
Stockton-on-Tees	Stc–T	Estimate including spotlight	3
Sunderland	Sndr	Count	0

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1. Ons mid-2022 population estimates. ↩

2. Local authorities choose a single date for their snapshot between 1 October and 30 November. ↩

3. In 2023 the unitary authorities Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness , North Yorkshire, and Somerset were formed. The authorities that they are comprised of have been retired and their previous rough sleeping figures have been aggregated. ONS have a list of all restructures since 1995. ↩

4. 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. ↩

5. 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. ↩