What is homelessness?

Sleeping on the streets is the most visible, and often the most distressing, form of homelessness. The longer someone is exposed to sleeping rough, the harder it becomes to recover. People can experience trauma, violence, declining mental health, or substance misuse as they try to survive life outdoors.

On any given night, in Autumn 2025, an estimated 4,793 people are sleeping rough in England – though the true number is likely higher. Surveys often miss people, and women experiencing rough sleeping are particularly undercounted – a hidden crisis within an already urgent issue.

Beyond the visible numbers, there are countless more individuals who make up the “hidden homeless” population – those without a permanent home who don’t meet the statutory definition of homelessness. This group includes people living in overcrowded accommodations or moving between unsuitable places, often referred to as “sofa surfing.”

While there’s no reliable data on exactly how many people live like this, estimates suggest that the number reaches into the tens of thousands. Their stories often go unseen, but their need for secure housing is just as urgent.

In England latest data shows that record numbers of households are living in temporary accommodation. A total of 134,760 households as of September 2025 – a record-high and 7% higher than the previous year.

Many of these families live in poor-quality or overcrowded spaces, constantly moving between short-term housing without stability. This instability disrupts children’s education and damages people’s mental health. Access to help is also uneven. Migrants, prison leavers, and people facing addiction or with other complex needs often struggle to get the support they need.