The top 4 reasons for homelessness in London

Homelessness is on the increase in London – more so than in any other area in the UK. Our analysis shows that one person in our capital city is forced into homelessness every 8.5 minutes.

There are many reasons why someone might become homeless – personal, social, systemic and political. As Londoners, we face some particular challenges not experienced as strongly by the rest of the country.

Here, we unpick the top four systemic and political reasons driving homelessness in London:

1. Not enough affordable housing

London’s population is nine times bigger than the second-largest UK city, Birmingham. But there aren’t nine times more homes for everyone and there is a chronic shortage of good quality, low-cost homes available. In fact, in London, 300,000 are on the on the waiting list for social housing, and we're only building around a sixth of the social homes needed.
This means more people are pushed into the often unstable and risky private rental market. This brings us on to our next reason…

2. A risky private rental sector

More competition for homes in the private sector = higher rental rates and sadly, sometimes poor property standards. London actually has the second highest rental prices in Europe.
Studies show that in communities where residents spend more than 32% of their income on rent, homelessness rises quickly.
With the average Londoner spending half their hard-earned cash on rent, it’s easy to see how many are barely keeping their head above water. And then there’s always the risk of eviction…even if you’re following all the rules…

3. A political choice to keep ‘no fault’ evictions

Imagine being evicted and forced to leave your home for absolutely no reason. This is called being served with a Section 21 – and landlords are legitimately allowed to do this.
The Government promised to ban this unfair practice through the Renters' Reform Bill - but have delayed this indefinitely.
Between July and Sep 2023, there was a particular surge in London where 8,014 eviction notices were served – an increase of 35% on the same time last year.

4. Discrimination and inequality

As unfair as it sounds, your ethnic background influences your likelihood of struggling with housing in London more so than in other UK areas.

Here are the facts:

Black Londoners are five times more likely to experience homelessness than their white counterparts.
Eviction rates in London vary widely, with the most ethnically diverse local authorities experiencing much higher rates of eviction compared to the least ethnically diverse areas.

Single Homeless Project began in 1975 when a group of six homeless men in London teamed up to create change. They wanted to see an end to rough sleeping and a city where everyone has a safe place to live and the chance for a fulfilling life.

Today, we help over 10,000 Londoners in crisis every year to leave homelessness behind, to be seen, to be heard, and find a place to call home.

Our expert teams prevent Londoners from becoming homeless and help people off the streets. We provide safe places to live and offer the support needed to recover, prepare for the future and become independent.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our work, subscribe to our newsletter.

Latest

Barriers to accessing healthcare

People experiencing homelessness face multiple barriers when accessing healthcare. This can result in numerous and chronic health issues, even when some are easily treatable
Improving physical health

Our specialist health team improves access and engagement to healthcare for the Londoners wex support
What are the different types of homelessness?

Seeing people on the street is the most visible form of homelessness, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many forms of homelessness and it’s important to recognise them all so people can get the right support to rebuild their lives.
Lainey's story

Lainey, 21, lives at one of our specialist women’s homes in North London. She’s studying animal management with dreams of being a vet and working with animals in the countryside. Lainey’s future looks bright now, but life has thrown many challenges at her.

What are the different types of homelessness?

Seeing people on the street is the most visible form of homelessness, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many forms of homelessness and it’s important to recognise them all so people can get the right support to rebuild their lives.
Why homelessness is not a lifestyle choice

Suella Braverman recently described rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice” when she defended her decision to restrict the use of tents by people sleeping rough.
How to help homeless people this winter

We've made a list of 10 things you can do to help someone facing homelessness this winter.
How does racism and discrimination cause homelessness?

People from black and ethnic backgrounds are more likely to be homeless, live in deprived neighbourhoods and poor quality homes. But why? Historical factors, specific policies, and social welfare drive inequality, and we need positive changes to address the balance.
Understanding hostile architecture and its impact on homelessness in cities

Spikes on the floor. Bars across benches. Railings. Fences under stairs. Sloped seating. CCTV cameras. Hostile architecture can be subtle and difficult to spot, but once you understand its purpose and look around, you can see it everywhere. It's unwelcoming and unhelpful. So, what can you do to fight back?
The impact of climate change on homelessness and poverty

Climate change is reshaping lives, with small shifts leading to big consequences. It will hit everyone, yet people experiencing homelessness or poverty will bear the heaviest burdens. Find out how climate change will increase homelessness, make living more unaffordable, and what needs to be done to fix it.
How the Renters' Reform Bill takes on Section 21

Did you know landlords can evict tenants without giving a reason? This is known as a Section 21 eviction, and when it is served, it can throw people into uncertainty and sometimes even into homelessness. It’s despicable. But soon, it'll be a thing of the past.
Why homelessness is different for LGBTQIA+ people

LGBTQIA+ people face challenges daily, and finding housing is no exception. This has led to an overrepresentation of people experiencing homelessness across the UK. We highlight the reasons for this and the barriers that make it hard for LGBTQIA+ people from getting the specialised support they need.
Buried in chaos: Understanding hoarding disorder

Hoarding is a mental health problem that is often misunderstood and overlooked. But we want to change that. We spoke to our hoarding specialist, Ronie, about hoarding, why people do it, its link to homelessness, and why we need to change the way we think about it.
Women's homelessness: the stats.

Statistics only tell some of the story, but by understanding the facts and figures we can begin to understand the challenges faced by women who experience homelessness and take steps towards ensuring every woman has a place to call home.