Help St Mungo's to end rough sleeping by 2026

As the year draws to a close we wanted to say a big thank you to all supporting St Mungo’s. Winter is the most difficult time of year for people sleeping rough, with nights drawing in earlier, freezing temperatures and a strong chance of rain. Our work doesn’t stop after Christmas, with frontline teams out on the streets, supporting people 365 days a year.  

In total during the period July – September 2024 outreach teams recorded 4780 individuals sleeping rough in London. This is a 18% increase on the total figure for July-September 2023. Of that total:

• new rough sleepers account for 49% of all rough sleepers
• intermittent rough sleepers account for 38% of all those recorded in the period, and
• 14% of those recorded during the period were living on the streets.

We unfortunately expect these numbers to continue raising and therefore your support is needed more than ever.

However we are able to report on the below updates and achievements at St Mungo’s:

Government announces emergency fund for rough sleepers 

In November, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited one of St Mungo’s services to discuss the launch of a £2.7 million emergency fund for London’s rough sleepers, part of a £10 million national package for winter support. 

The funding will provide rough sleepers with access to safe, warm beds during the harshest months, helping to save lives as sub-zero temperatures pose serious risks. 

St Mungo’s CEO, Emma Haddad, welcomed the announcement but highlighted the need for sustainable solutions: 

“Our outreach teams are literally saving lives during the winter, but we need more than just sticking plaster solutions. To truly end homelessness, we require sustainable funding and coordinated efforts across health, housing, and employment.” 

This funding builds on the Government’s pledge of £233 million in the recent Budget to tackle homelessness. St Mungo’s remains on the frontline, calling for lasting solutions to address this urgent crisis. 

Now is time to respond 

We have a brand new advert out on TV this winter — a call for urgent support to keep St Mungo’s on the frontline, providing life-saving help to people sleeping rough. 

The cost of living crisis, housing shortages and strained public services are driving more people into homelessness. The rapid rise in rough sleeping is putting immense pressure on our workers but with your support, we can continue to reach those in need before it’s too late. 

By sharing the stark realities of homelessness, we hope to inspire more people to take action and help us make a lasting difference. 

St Mungo’s Annual Impact Report 

Our 2023-24 Annual Impact Report is now available, highlighting the impact of our work and sharing inspiring client stories.

Over the past year, we supported 23,827 people experiencing homelessness, with 3,898 recorded as sleeping rough on a single night—a 27% increase from 2022. These figures emphasise the urgent need for action. 

We are deeply grateful for the continued support of like you, which makes our work to end homelessness and transform lives possible. 

Thank you

Thank you so much for your continued support of our work!