Rough sleeping increases in West Midlands

Latest figures show the number of people sleeping rough in the West Midlands has increased.

Councillors are set to be presented with the West Midlands State of the Region 2026 report next week which includes data on homelessness, temporary accommodation and rough sleeping.

The report, which will go before the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Local Scrutiny Committee, showed an estimated 158 people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025.

That represents a 31 per cent increase from 121 seen in 2024 and equates to a rate of 5.1 people rough sleeping per 100,000 population, lower than the England rate of 8.2 people per 100,000.

In comparison, Greater Manchester Combined Authority saw a 28 per cent increase from 154 in 2024 to 197 in 2025 while Liverpool City Region saw a 16 per cent increase from 83 in 2024 to 96 in 2025.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority saw a 13 per cent decrease from 162 to 141.

Other figures showed that, as of September 30 2025, there were 7,383 households in temporary accommodation in the WMCA area.

This includes 6,449 households with children, which equates to approximately 15,350 children in temporary accommodation.

Of those, 4,532 (around 70 per cent) households with children were in temporary accommodation for six months or longer.

A total of 21,915 households in the WMCA area approached local authorities for homelessness support and 81 per cent were owed a duty between April 2024 and March 2025.

The State of the Region report also sets out what can and is being done to tackle such issues.

It said: “Local authorities retain statutory responsibility for preventing and relieving homelessness, while the WMCA provides strategic leadership at a regional level.

“This is delivered through the Homelessness Taskforce, which brings together partners from across housing, health, and the voluntary sector to coordinate action and support local responses.

“The Taskforce’s overarching ambition is to “design out” homelessness in all its forms by promoting long-term inclusion and stability.

“In recent years, activity has focused on responding to rising pressures, including increases in rough sleeping, temporary accommodation, and more complex needs among households.

“Alongside addressing immediate challenges, the region has placed greater emphasis on prevention, earlier intervention, and improving outcomes for groups most affected by homelessness, including children and families.

“This reflects a shift towards a more proactive and system-wide approach.

“Looking ahead, the WMCA will continue to strengthen collaboration across partners to improve how the system functions cohesively.

“This includes supporting innovation, sharing best practice, building skills and capacity, and aligning services more effectively across organisations.

“By taking a more coordinated and integrated approach, the region aims to prevent homelessness earlier, improve support for those affected, and create more sustainable pathways out of housing insecurity.”