A homeless charity has welcomed figures showing a decrease in the number of people sleeping rough in two South London boroughs.
According to data released by the GLA Rough Sleeper Team, homelessness in Croydon and Lambeth has dropped by 13 per cent and 10 per cent respectively in January and March 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
James Hayes, chief executive of homeless charity Emmaus SLC which operates in Lambeth and Croydon said: “We must recognise the contribution of charities like Emmaus, who have helped achieve this welcome reduction and the hard work of all services who support rough sleepers in Lambeth and Croydon.”
The two boroughs buck the London-wide trend which saw the number of homelessness people increase by eight per cent, up to a total of 4427 people.
Figures also show a 22 per cent increase in the number of women sleeping rough in the capital.
Mr Hayes said: “These figures are incredibly tough to read, but unsurprising, as we see first-hand, every day, the impact of the lack of affordable housing and rising costs of living, which is creating a huge increase in demand for our services at a time when costs for charities are leading to unsustainable operating costs.”
Despite the increase in people forced to sleep rough, data shows that 75 per cent of rough sleepers were booked into accommodation, compared to 65 per cent in the same period last year.
Emmaus SLC provides vital services, support, and accommodation for those facing poverty and homelessness. The charity also supports people to live independently away from the threat of homelessness.
Mr Hayes said: “We need to ensure that charities can continue to operate sustainably to assist people to stay out of the poverty trap.
“There is an increase in demand for our services, and an increase in costs means we are at risk of not being able to offer the same level of support to those who rely on us.
“The increase in support needs, plus rising costs, are putting our existing model under threat.”
For more information about Emmaus SLC, please visit: www.emmaus.org.uk/slc/
Pictured top: James Hayes, chief executive of homeless charity Emmaus SLC (Picture: Emmaus SLC)
