Depaul UK welcomes 24% fall in young people seen sleeping rough in London

The latest CHAIN quarterly statistics, published today, show that the number of 18–25-year-olds recorded sleeping rough in London between July and September 2026 fell by 24 per cent compared with the same period last year. Across all ages, the total number of people recorded sleeping remained broadly unchanged.
Alexia Murphy, CEO of Depaul UK, said:
“Today’s substantial fall in the number of young people recorded sleeping rough is welcome progress. It should give us confidence that further progress is possible and strengthen the case for sustained action.
“Our partnership with the Greater London Authority and New Horizon Youth Centre is helping young people find safety and a route out of homelessness. No single service can account for this reduction, but our London Youth Hub is an important part of the capital’s response. The task now is to build on that work so fewer young people ever reach the streets.
“At our London Youth Hub, run with New Horizon Youth Centre and funded by the Greater London Authority, we supported 106 young people between April 2025 and March 2026. Of those who moved on, 96 per cent were not recorded as returning to rough sleeping within six months. That shows what specialist support, alongside somewhere safe to stay, can achieve.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to ending rough sleeping and its investment in tackling it. We look forward to working with ministers, the GLA and our partners to ensure young people receive help before they lose their home, support through a crisis and continued guidance as they rebuild their lives.
“That means sustained investment in early intervention, family support, education and tailored services, alongside more affordable move-on accommodation so young people can take the next step towards independent living.
“Getting people off the streets is urgent. Preventing the next young person from having to sleep there must be just as much of a priority.”