Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Share your view on the Big Issue and you could win £100 of John Lewis vouchers
Have Your Say
Housing

“Disappointing” Wales rough sleeping figures show rise but “no surprise”

There was a 17 per cent increase in two-week rough sleeping estimates while the number of people sleeping out in the one-night snapshot count is up by 11 per cent

a person lies on the pavement facing away from the camera, with a guitar propped up beside them

A significant rise in the number of rough sleepers counted on the streets of Wales has been described as “no surprise” by the minister responsible for homelessness.

The latest official figures, released today, saw local authorities estimate that 405 people slept rough across Wales between October 14 and 27 – an increase of 17 per cent over the 2018 count.

Similarly, the one-night snapshot count showed that 176 people slept rough in the country on November 7, which is also up by 11 per cent.

We are not, however, surprised by the increase. It reflects the reality of what we see on our streets, the complexity of the issues and the discussions we have with stakeholders

Commenting on the figures, Julie James AM, the Welsh Minister for Housing and Local Government, responded by pointing the finger at the UK Government’s austerity and welfare policies.

She said: “As a government committed to the goal of ending homelessness, we are of course disappointed that the numbers reported in the 2019 count have increased.

“We are not, however, surprised by the increase. It reflects the reality of what we see on our streets, the complexity of the issues and the discussions we have with stakeholders.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“I have set out on a number of occasions that despite our increased investment and groundbreaking preventative legislation, local authorities are facing a rising tide in the numbers of people sleeping rough, due in no small part to the impact of the UK government’s austerity policies and the impact of welfare reforms.”

However, both James and charities have pointed to the work of the Homelessness Action Group as key to ensuring that fewer people are sleeping on the streets.

The group is staffed by experts on homelessness, housing, policing and local authorities including Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes, his Wallich counterpart Lindsay Cordery-Bruce and End Youth Homelessness Cymru chair Frances Beecher.

They delivered their first report in October 2019 with a series of recommendations on reducing rough sleeping in the short term and preventing rough sleeping altogether.

The group called for well-trained assertive outreach workers with the power to help rough sleepers into accommodation, addressing barriers to support, ensuring emergency and temporary alternatives to rough sleeping are available and maximising available social homes.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

However, the figures released today come from counts carried out before these recommendations could be implemented. A new Homelessness Action Group report is due to be published in March.

Cymorth Cymru director Katie Dalton, who is a part of the group, insisted that Welsh ministers should increase housing support in their budget to prevent more people being forced on to the streets.

“Although this data has its limitations, it is nevertheless concerning to see the largest year-on-year increase in rough sleeping since the two-week count began,” she said.

“We are heartened by the Welsh Government’s response to the recent Homelessness Action Group report on rough sleeping and hope that sustained efforts locally and nationally will see the figures reduce in future years.

“However, we urge ministers to take action this month and increase the Housing Support Grant in their final budget for 2020/21. Services are working incredibly hard to support people experiencing homelessness but have faced real-term cuts of more than £37m since 2012.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“At the same time, the UK government must take responsibility and tackle the structural issues that push people into homelessness, such as austerity and harmful welfare policies.”

Rough sleeping figures proved tricky for Boris Johnson last week after he made an incorrect claim about England’s figures. We fact-checked Johnson’s claim in this week’s Big Issue magazine.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special New Year subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

View all
Homelessness on the rise in Finland for first time in over a decade: 'It's unacceptable'
streets of Helsinki
Homelessness

Homelessness on the rise in Finland for first time in over a decade: 'It's unacceptable'

Awaab's Law is finally coming into force in October – but some hazards won't be covered until 2027
Rochdale toddler Awaab Ishak died due to damp and mould in his social housing flat
Awaab's Law

Awaab's Law is finally coming into force in October – but some hazards won't be covered until 2027

Labour says new energy efficiency rules for landlords will save renters £240 a year on bills
Environment secretary Ed Miliband
Energy bills

Labour says new energy efficiency rules for landlords will save renters £240 a year on bills

Social housing waiting lists to soar to two million people in 10 years, report finds
Row of terraced houses with cars on the road in front
Social housing

Social housing waiting lists to soar to two million people in 10 years, report finds

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know