National rough sleeper count: November 2017

Main points

• Local authorities estimated that 345 persons were sleeping rough across Wales in the 2 weeks between 16th and 29th October 2017. This is an increase of 10% (32 persons) compared with the exercise carried out in October 2016.
• Local authorities reported 188 individuals observed sleeping rough across Wales between 10pm on the 9th and 5am on 10th November 2017. This was an increase of a third (47 persons) on the previous year.
• Local authorities reported 233 emergency bed spaces across Wales. Of these, 42 (18%) were unoccupied and available on the night of the snapshot count. In 10 local authorities reporting rough sleepers on the night of the count there were no unoccupied, available emergency bed spaces.

Note

There are a range of factors which can impact on single-night counts of rough sleepers, including location, timing and weather. The count carried out in November 2017 in Wales is essentially a snapshot estimate. It can only provide a very broad indication of rough sleeping levels on the night of the count.

The information presented in this release covers the rough sleeper monitoring exercise carried out across Wales during October and November 2017. It is based on the data provided by local authorities.

This release does not include any information on statutory homelessness. Statutory homelessness covers actions taken by local authorities to prevent or relieve homelessness under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.