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Council's homelessness strategy under fire as rough sleeping doubles

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 14:38

Rough sleeping in North Yorkshire has more than doubled in the past year.

North Yorkshire Council is facing criticism over its approach to tackling homelessness after new figures revealed that rough sleeping has more than doubled in the past year.

Cllr Matt Walker, North Yorkshire Councillor for Knaresborough West, has called for an urgent review of the Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2025–2030), arguing that the current plan is failing to meet its aims.

Council data shows that around 100 people are currently at risk of rough sleeping, while severe weather emergency protocols were activated 16 times last winter, providing shelter to 130 individuals.

Cllr Matt Walker said:

“The Council committed to making homelessness ‘rare, brief and non-recurrent’.

"Yet rough sleeping has more than doubled in the past year - from 14 to 34 people - and emergency accommodation use is climbing again after six months of decline."

He added:

“How can residents and councillors trust this plan when the numbers are going in the wrong direction? What urgent action will you take before winter forces even more families into crisis?

"These figures show a system under real strain.

“Families and vulnerable individuals deserve better than broken promises and rising homelessness. We need transparency, accountability, and immediate action.”

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