The latest national figures on rough sleeping paint a devastating picture, and one we cannot ignore.
Figures released today by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that rough sleeping in England has reached record highs. On a single night in November 2025, 4,793 people were sleeping rough, up from 4,667 the year before. This is not just a statistic; it represents thousands of people pushed into unsafe and undignified situations because the systems meant to protect them are under immense strain.
Here in Nottingham, we’re seeing the same trends. Emmanuel House CEO Isabella Harriss captured this reality clearly:
“It’s truly shocking to see rough sleeping figures continue to climb nationally to record levels, and in Nottingham we’re seeing that same worrying trend play out on our streets. Yet sadly, given the scale of the housing and support pressures people are facing, it’s not unexpected. Even with increased funding and stronger partnership working, too many people are being failed and we must not accept this as normal.”
We stand alongside partners across the country in calling for bolder leadership, long‑term investment, and a renewed political commitment to ending rough sleeping. People deserve safe, stable, dignified homes. No one should be forced to sleep on our streets. And record levels of homelessness must never be treated as an unavoidable part of life in the UK.
At Emmanuel House, we’ll continue working with our partners locally and nationally to push for solutions that match the scale of the crisis. We remain hopeful and know that when communities, charities, local authorities, and government align behind a shared purpose, change is absolutely possible. With the right commitment, the right policies, and the right investment, we can build a future where no one is left without a home, and where dignity and security are the norm, not the exception.
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