Homelessness and rough sleeping

The Government is committed to tackling and preventing homelessness, working in partnership with voluntary sector partners, local authorities and housing associations.

What we are doing

Measuring rough sleeping levels

We have overhauled the rough sleeping count methodology and introduced a more comprehensive method of assessing the scale of the problem across the country.

The new figures published on 17 February 2011 show a total of 1,768 people sleeping out across England on any given night. For the first time, the figures include robust estimates from all councils across the country (see Rough Sleeping in England section for further information).

If you see someone who you suspect is sleeping rough, use the Homelessness help map (external link) to find contact details for your local outreach team. If you can't find details of an organisation in your area please contact your Local Authority. Telephone numbers are also available below in the 'Rough sleeping contact numbers' document, under 'Related downloads'.

Ministerial Working group

On 6 July we published the first report from the Ministerial Working Group - Vision to End Rough Sleeping: No Second Night Out Nationwide.

We have established a cross-Government working group on homelessness. It brings together Ministers from eight government departments to work closely together to help rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness to stay off the streets. The Ministerial Working Group is focussing on people living on the streets and in temporary or insecure accommodation, such as hostels, shelters and squats, who are at significant risk of rough sleeping.

Homelessness prevention

The Department for Communities and Local Government is investing £400m over four years in Preventing Homelessness Grant to support the work of local authorities and the voluntary sector.

Examples of prevention initiatives undertaken by local authorities include providing:

rent deposits to help people obtain tenancies in the private rented sector
mediation services to help resolve family tensions in the home which might otherwise lead to a member of the family leaving home.

Local authorities also provide support to help people with difficulties such as managing debts or overcoming other personal problems such as alcohol or drug misuse.

Preventing repossessions

The most effective way of preventing a large rise in the numbers of repossessions is to address the public deficit and make sure that interest rates remain low.

We are also committed to working with lenders and money advisors to ensure that repossession is only ever treated as a last resort.

A range of measures are currently in place, including: