The housing crisis in Hackney and the cost of living increases have led to a growing number of individuals having to resort to sleeping on the street. 

More than 250 new rough sleepers were referred to our outreach team in the past year - and it is testament to the work of that team and our partners that the street count recorded such low numbers. Of those only seven have been living on the streets for more than three months. Every rough-sleeper is offered a place to sleep, but for complex reasons, have not taken up that offer.”

The official street count gives a ‘snapshot’ of the number of people bedding down outside, or in buildings or other places not designed for habitation. A team of Hackney Council staff, outreach workers and volunteers covered every ward in the borough.