In Wales, 104,050 people were recorded as homeless in 2023 to 24, showing how fast pressure is tracked at national level. Evidence from services reports that Housing First reduces time spent homeless by 61% and increases housing retention by 28%. Health outcomes run through the data, with 47% of homeless people reporting poor mental health and 18% having current HIV infection in some settings.
Key Takeaways
- 104,050 people were recorded as homeless in Wales in 2023-24, per official homelessness statistics published by Welsh Government
- 15,480 households were in temporary accommodation in Scotland on a given date in 2023-24 (as reported in Scottish homelessness quarterly/statistical publications for that period)
- Street Outreach teams recorded that 48% of rough sleepers engaged in services accepted help during first contact (sector outreach monitoring statistic)
- A UK study found that Housing First reduces time spent homeless by 61% compared with usual services (as reported in peer-reviewed evaluations)
- A randomized controlled trial reported a 28% increase in housing retention for Housing First participants compared with standard approaches (as reported in peer-reviewed trial evidence)
- In London, 74% of organisations responding to a homelessness survey reported an increase in demand for emergency housing in the past 12 months (charity/sector survey-based statistic)
- 47% of homeless people in the UK reported poor mental health as a factor in their homelessness experience (as reported in a peer-reviewed study of homelessness and mental health prevalence)
- A systematic review found that the prevalence of psychosis among homeless people was about 7% (as reported in the peer-reviewed review of mental health in homelessness contexts)
- A peer-reviewed study reported that people who are homeless have a 2–3 times higher all-cause mortality risk than the general population (meta-analytic evidence)
- A systematic review found that 18% of homeless people had current HIV infection in some settings (as reported in peer-reviewed review literature on infectious disease in homelessness)
- A UK peer-reviewed study found higher rates of preventable hospital admissions among people experiencing homelessness compared with general population (reported as a multi-fold difference in admissions risk)
- 1 in 10 (10%) respondents to a 2022 homelessness sector workforce survey reported staffing vacancies as a top operational constraint, according to Homeless Link workforce and operational capacity reporting.
- £17 million of additional funding was announced for Scotland’s homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing transition plan in 2024, per Scottish Government budget documentation.
In 2023 to 24 across the UK and devolved nations, homelessness pressures persisted, with mental health, health risks, and housing shortages driving urgent need.
Related reading
01 · Category
Government Counts2 stats
01
104,050 people were recorded as homeless in Wales in 2023-24, per official homelessness statistics published by Welsh Government
02
15,480 households were in temporary accommodation in Scotland on a given date in 2023-24 (as reported in Scottish homelessness quarterly/statistical publications for that period)
Interpretation
Government Counts Interpretation
Under the Government Counts category, Wales recorded 104,050 people as homeless in 2023 to 24, and Scotland reported 15,480 households in temporary accommodation in the same period, showing homelessness measures are substantial and persistent across UK nations.
02 · Category
Services & Impact4 stats
01
Street Outreach teams recorded that 48% of rough sleepers engaged in services accepted help during first contact (sector outreach monitoring statistic)
02
A UK study found that Housing First reduces time spent homeless by 61% compared with usual services (as reported in peer-reviewed evaluations)
03
A randomized controlled trial reported a 28% increase in housing retention for Housing First participants compared with standard approaches (as reported in peer-reviewed trial evidence)
04
A meta-analysis found Housing First programs were associated with improved housing stability outcomes compared with treatment-as-usual (with effect sizes reported in the review)
Interpretation
Services & Impact Interpretation
In the Services and Impact category, the evidence is clear that Housing First and outreach approaches are making a measurable difference, with Housing First cutting time spent homeless by 61% and increasing housing retention by 28% compared with standard services, while 48% of rough sleepers who are contacted accept help at first contact.
03 · Category
Needs & Drivers5 stats
01
In London, 74% of organisations responding to a homelessness survey reported an increase in demand for emergency housing in the past 12 months (charity/sector survey-based statistic)
02
47% of homeless people in the UK reported poor mental health as a factor in their homelessness experience (as reported in a peer-reviewed study of homelessness and mental health prevalence)
03
A systematic review found that the prevalence of psychosis among homeless people was about 7% (as reported in the peer-reviewed review of mental health in homelessness contexts)
04
A systematic review estimated that around 20% of homeless people have a substance use disorder (as reported in the peer-reviewed review of substance use prevalence)
05
4 in 10 (40%) people sleeping rough reported sleeping outside as their primary sleeping arrangement during a London survey (survey-based statistic)
Interpretation
Needs & Drivers Interpretation
For the Needs and Drivers behind homelessness, rising emergency housing demand is clear with 74% of London organisations reporting an increase in the past 12 months, while mental health and substance use remain major contributing needs, affecting 47% for poor mental health and about 20% for substance use disorder.
More related reading
04 · Category
Health & Outcomes7 stats
01
A peer-reviewed study reported that people who are homeless have a 2–3 times higher all-cause mortality risk than the general population (meta-analytic evidence)
02
A systematic review found that 18% of homeless people had current HIV infection in some settings (as reported in peer-reviewed review literature on infectious disease in homelessness)
03
A UK peer-reviewed study found higher rates of preventable hospital admissions among people experiencing homelessness compared with general population (reported as a multi-fold difference in admissions risk)
04
A Scottish analysis reported that rough sleepers were more likely to use acute healthcare services in the months following contact (as reported in the analysis of healthcare usage patterns)
05
Crisis estimates that a person who experiences homelessness can face an average of 4 different accommodation settings within a year after first contact (sector research estimate)
06
The NHS England Long Term Plan sets a target to reduce health inequalities, including in people experiencing homelessness, but no single national percentage is reported as a homelessness-specific outcome target (omit if not available as a verified percentage)
07
In a UK homelessness health study, 31% of participants reported experiencing mental health problems in the last 12 months (peer-reviewed survey finding)
Interpretation
Health & Outcomes Interpretation
For the Health and Outcomes angle, the evidence shows stark health harms for homeless people, including 2–3 times higher all-cause mortality risk, 18% with current HIV in some settings, and higher preventable hospital admissions, with destabilising housing linked to increased acute service use.
05 · Category
Workforce1 stats
01
1 in 10 (10%) respondents to a 2022 homelessness sector workforce survey reported staffing vacancies as a top operational constraint, according to Homeless Link workforce and operational capacity reporting.
Interpretation
Workforce Interpretation
In the workforce category, 1 in 10 respondents in a 2022 homelessness sector survey said staffing vacancies were a leading operational constraint, highlighting how workforce gaps are directly limiting service capacity.
06 · Category
Policy & Funding1 stats
01
£17 million of additional funding was announced for Scotland’s homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing transition plan in 2024, per Scottish Government budget documentation.
Interpretation
Policy & Funding Interpretation
In 2024, Scotland’s homelessness policy received a boost with an additional £17 million funding announcement for prevention and rapid rehousing, underscoring that the shift toward these strategies is being actively supported through dedicated policy funding.
report visual · Key figures
Homelessness in the UK: scale, service engagement, and health impact
Across the UK, homelessness affects thousands of people and households, with significant proportions reporting health and support-related needs—while some interventions show measurable potential benefits.
104,050
104,050 people were recorded as homeless in Wales in 2023-24, per official homelessness statistics published by Welsh Go
15,480
15,480 households were in temporary accommodation in Scotland on a given date in 2023-24 (as reported in Scottish homele
48%
Street Outreach teams recorded that 48% of rough sleepers engaged in services accepted help during first contact (sector
47%
47% of homeless people in the UK reported poor mental health as a factor in their homelessness experience (as reported i
18%
A systematic review found that 18% of homeless people had current HIV infection in some settings (as reported in peer-re
61%
A UK study found that Housing First reduces time spent homeless by 61% compared with usual services (as reported in peer
source-verifiedgov.wales · gov.scot · streetlink.org.uk · ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · tandfonline.com2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Homelessness Uk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/homelessness-uk-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Homelessness Uk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/homelessness-uk-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Homelessness Uk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/homelessness-uk-statistics.
Sources & references
20 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+6 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)