Homes for Rough Sleepers

Rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness, and is a huge problem in the UK. In 2019, 4,266 individuals were recorded as rough sleeping, following the street counts. This was an increase of 165% compared with 2010 figures. As the street counts are only conducted during one night in November, many individuals are miss-counted. Therefore, the true extent of rough sleeping is unknown. The individuals who are miss-counted, are 'the hidden homeless'.

Sleeping on the streets is no way to live, and it shouldn’t be happening in 2020. For example, it has been found by the NHS, that sleeping rough has detrimental effects on both mental, and physical health, which is also proving costly to the health services. In order to reduce the strain on the health services, rough sleepers in the UK need to be housed in some form of accommodation, that is fit for living in. Doing so could help re-introduce these vulnerable individuals into society, which could have significant economic benefits within the UK.

Individuals rough sleeping are human too, and deserve to be treated in the same respect as the rest of society. Rough sleeping is an issue which is repeatedly swept under the carpet, and is not going away. We need to act fast to deliver homes to individuals rough sleeping, and in turn eliminate rough sleeping in the UK.