New data from the Greater London Authority's Combined Homelessness and Information Network shows 12,938 people were seen sleeping rough across London in 2025/26, a reduction on the 13,231 recorded the previous year but still far higher than the 8,329 reported in 2021/22, MyLondon has reported.
Westminster recorded 2,583 people sleeping rough in the same period, significantly higher than any other London borough, with Camden the next highest at 974. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed £442 million to help ensure everyone has a route off the streets this winter, describing it as the first milestone in his commitment to end rough sleeping.
Cllr David Harvey, Westminster City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:
"We understand that street homelessness is complex and that every individual's circumstances are different. Rough sleeping is a national challenge, but Westminster faces unique pressure as people are often drawn to major city centres when they lose their homes.
"Many people sleeping rough in Westminster are not residents, but we do everything we can to help them off the streets and get back on their feet, which could range from reconnecting them to their homes to helping them access specialist services, such as domestic abuse or mental health support.
"We invest £8m each year to support people sleeping rough, including funding outreach teams that work around the clock across Westminster. We work closely with different partners to help people rebuild their lives, including homelessness charities such as St Mungo's, The Passage and Connections, care services such as the Dr Hickey Surgery and Turning Point, accommodation providers like Look Ahead, and employment partners that help people into work."
A Government spokesperson said it was investing over £442 million to deliver more housing and specialist wraparound support across the country, including £8 million to boost the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.
You can read Ben Lynch's article for MyLondon in full on their website.
