As the chill in the air increased, the outreach team from Camden Council commenced its standard assessment of individuals sleeping rough.

Lukasz Fila, an outreach worker with Camden Routes Off The Streets, was on the lookout for both familiar faces among the rough sleepers and new individuals in need of assistance.

The first person encountered was a woman soliciting donations at the entrance of a station.

Mr. Fila mentioned that he had been working to gather information about her housing situation.

“She’s currently on the waiting list for accommodations, but we are unsure of how soon she might receive housing. We’ll reach out to her keyworker for further details.”

Recent statistics released by the mayor’s office indicated the first decline in the number of rough sleepers in three years, yet Camden’s own data reveals a 48% rise in rough sleeping since the 2021/22 period.

Mr. Fila commented that he and his team are definitely observing a greater variety of individuals facing diverse support needs.

“We are encountering individuals who have experienced domestic violence, trauma, or are facing eviction from their residences.”

“There is a noticeable increase in the number of women living on the streets.”

He appeared to know most of the rough sleepers personally. By tracking who is sleeping where, keyworkers can monitor their locations and ensure they access necessary services.

Additionally, he was able to provide hot drinks and food to those we encountered.

Ella Pontefract, the Rough Sleeping Manager, takes part in the homeless count to ensure Camden’s resources are employed as effectively as possible, also to identify what additional resources may be needed.

“It’s crucial for us to have a clear understanding of the current situation in the borough.”

“I participate in the street count and frequently visit the hub to maintain a strong connection with the outreach service.”

The number of rough sleepers in Camden has surged by 48% over the past three years.

During a similar count conducted in October of last year, 112 individuals were observed sleeping rough. This autumn, the number has increased to 117, marking an 8% rise from 2023/24 to 2024/25.

The cost of living in Camden is steep; it ranks as the third most expensive borough for rent in London, with prices rising by 20% since the pandemic began in 2020.

Research conducted by the homeless charity Crisis indicates that only 2.7% of properties across London are considered affordable within the limits of Local Housing Allowance, a drop from 18% at the onset of the pandemic. Specifically in Camden, the figure is a mere 0.4%.

One man begging outside St Pancras Station, wrapped in a furry dressing gown, introduced himself as Byron.

He shared that he has been intermittently homeless for the last two decades. He had recently been temporarily placed in a hostel but was asked to leave following a disagreement with another resident.

He is now back on the streets.

When I inquired about the barriers preventing him from obtaining and maintaining long-term accommodation, he explained that many people, including himself, struggle with substance use issues.

He mentioned that he is currently receiving opioid injections from the NHS as part of his recovery efforts.

“It’s all about getting the right support.”

“Now that I’m sober, I’m aiming to return to work and find housing first.”

Many homeless individuals are trapped in a harmful cycle: without an address, accessing benefits or opening a bank account is challenging; without these, securing a place to live becomes difficult. Consequently, finding employment becomes nearly impossible without any of these essentials.

A significant aspect of the outreach team’s role is to facilitate connections to various services.

A man on a bicycle approached the team, stating that he was an addict en route to purchase drugs.

Although he has his own flat, he shared that he struggles to cope alone and is at risk of eviction.

Should that occur, he would join the ranks of the rough sleepers in the borough.

The outreach team was motivated to help him retain his housing if feasible, so they collected his information and promised to reach out to his keyworker.