Official figures on the levels of rough sleeping across England were released today. According to the latest figures, collected in the Autumn of 2023, 3898 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on any one night.
The figure for Norwich has reduced for the third year in a row. The figures released today show the count at 5 for Norwich, slightly less than last year when the recorded figure was 7. Looking back to 2016, when the figure for Norwich was 34, this 85% reduction is remarkable, considering the current economic climate and the fact that rough sleeping is on the increase in almost all other areas of the country.
Nationally, there was an increase of 27% from 2022 to 2023.
Are the figures accurate?
The snapshot takes place on a ‘typical night’, on a single date in the Autumn at each local authority.
In Norwich a team of well coordinated volunteers take to the streets between midnight and 4am
People sleeping rough are defined as those sleeping or about to bed down in the open air (such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments). It also includes people in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as stairwells, barns, sheds and cars.)
Click here to read St Martin’s CEO Dr Jan Sheldon’s comments on the figures for Norwich