Darpariaeth llety digartrefedd a chysgu allan: Gorffennaf 2025
Data am bersonau a wedi'u rhoi mewn llety dros dro a phobl sydd yn cysgu allan ar gyfer Gorffennaf 2025. Saesneg yn unig.
Efallai na fydd y ffeil hon yn gyfan gwbl hygyrch.
Ar y dudalen hon
Mae’r dudalen yma’n Saesneg. Darllenwch fwy am yr hyn sy’n rhaid i ni ei wneud i gydymffurfio gyda Safonau’r Gymraeg.
Introduction
This publication covers rough sleepers and the provision of temporary and long-term accommodation for homeless people who present to local authorities for housing support.
Detailed breakdowns, including by local authority, can be found on StatsWales (Homelessness accommodation provision and rough sleeping).
This monthly data collection was introduced during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Since its introduction, Welsh Government and local authorities have worked together to improve the data quality by strengthening the data collection guidance. Wales level data is presented from April 2023 onwards, this is due to improvements in data quality from that time.
Data on households applying to local authorities for housing assistance under the Housing Wales Act 2014 (UK legislation) are also regularly published by Welsh Government. However, users need to be aware of the differences between this monthly data collection and the collection on statutory homelessness.
Please see the quality and methodology section for further information.
Main points [footnote 1]
- There were 1,362 occurrences of homeless people placed into temporary accommodation in July 2025.
- 10,941 individuals were housed in temporary accommodation on 31 July 2025. The most common type of temporary accommodation was bed and breakfast and hotels, housing 2,888 individuals.
- 808 homeless individuals were moved into suitable long-term accommodation in July 2025.
- There were an estimated 161 individuals sleeping rough throughout Wales on 31 July 2025.
Use of temporary accommodation [footnote 2]
Individuals placed into temporary accommodation during the month
Figure 1: Occurrences of people placed into temporary accommodation during the month, April 2023 to July 2025
Description of Figure 1: A line chart showing that the total occurrences of people, children under 16 and those aged 16 to 24 placed into temporary accommodation fluctuates each month. The trends are described in the text below.
Source: Welsh local authority homelessness services
Since April 2023, the number of homeless individuals placed in temporary accommodation has shown notable fluctuations. The highest recorded figure was 1,785 in August 2023, followed by a steady decline to a low of 1,002 in December 2024. Although there has been a gradual increase in placements since then, the numbers have remained below 1,500 since August 2024.
A similar pattern is evident in the placement of children under 16. Numbers peaked at 480 in August 2023 before falling to 168 in December 2024. For individuals aged 16 to 24, the monthly figures have varied between 160 and around 250 since November 2024.
In July 2025 there were 1,362 occurrences of homeless people placed into temporary accommodation, a decrease of 12% from both July 2024 and July 2023.
Of these, 231 were dependent children aged under 16 (a decrease of 25% from July 2024 and a decrease of 44% from July 2023), and 252 were 16-24 year olds (a decrease of 14% from July 2024 and a decrease of 2% from July 2023). This is the first time there has been a higher number of 16-24 year olds than dependent children aged under 16. [footnote 3]
There have been 15,591 placements into temporary accommodation in the last 12 months. Repeat placements are common; 16% of placements into temporary accommodation in July 2025 were of individuals who had previously been placed into temporary accommodation within the last 12 months.
Figure 2: Occurrences of people placed into temporary accommodation by reason for homelessness, July 2025
Description of Figure 2: A bar chart showing moved from unsuitable accommodation and other are the most common reasons for placements into temporary accommodation.
Source: Welsh local authority homelessness services
Of the placements into temporary accommodation during July 2025, most occurrences came from moved from unsuitable accommodation (522 occurrences), followed by other (510 occurrences). These 2 categories account for over 75% of reasons for homelessness. Other circumstances refers to reasons other than moved off street, previously sofa surfing, moved from other unsuitable accommodation and prison leavers. Accommodation can be unsuitable for several reasons such as: overcrowding, risk of violence, environmental issues, house needing adaption after discharge from hospital or the resident requiring new supported accommodation. [footnote 3]
Homeless individuals in temporary accommodation at 31 July 2025
Figure 3: Homeless individuals living in temporary accommodation at the end of the month, April 2023 to July 2025
Description of Figure 3: Line chart showing the total number of homeless individuals in temporary accommodation has increased slightly overall since April 2023. While there was a general decline from November 2024, the most recent months show a slight increase. The number of children under 16 in temporary accommodation has decreased slightly since April 2023.
Source: Welsh local authority homelessness services
From April 2023 there was a gradual increase in the number of individuals in temporary accommodation, reaching a peak of 11,721 in February 2024. Numbers have decreased slightly since then and have remained fairly constant in recent months.
At 31 July 2025, 10,941 individuals were in temporary accommodation, a 4% decrease from 31 July 2024 and the same as 31 July 2023. 2,533 of these were dependent children aged under 16, a decrease of 14% from 31 July 2024 and a decrease of 24% from 31 July 2023. The number of dependent children has been decreasing over recent months, with numbers below 3,000 since May 2024.
Figure 4: Homeless temporarily accommodated, by type of accommodation, 31 July 2025
Description of Figure 4: A bar chart showing that the type of accommodation housing the largest number of homeless individuals is bed and breakfast and hotels (2,888), followed by local authority stock (2,477), hostels (1,988) and private sector accommodation (1,968).
Source: Welsh local authority homelessness services
The type of accommodation temporarily housing the most individuals at the end of July 2025 was bed and breakfast and hotels with 26% of individuals, of which 10% (298) were dependent children under 16. Following this, local authority stock, hostels and private sector accommodation are the other most common types of accommodation used across Wales, though this can vary between local authorities (see StatsWales for local authority breakdowns). Under 16s are most commonly housed in local authority stock, private sector accommodation and RSL stock.
Homeless individuals moved into suitable long-term accommodation
Figure 5: Homeless individuals moved into suitable long-term accommodation during the month, April 2023 to July 2025
Description of Figure 5: A line chart showing that the total number of homeless individuals and children under 16 moved into suitable long-term accommodation fluctuates each month. The trends are described in the text below.
Source: Welsh local authority homelessness services
Since April 2023, the number of homeless individuals moved into suitable long-term accommodation has fluctuated between around 600 to almost 900 individuals each month. These figures have varied month to month without a consistent trend. For children under 16, the numbers have similarly fluctuated, ranging from around 190 to just over 300 individuals.
In July 2025, 808 homeless individuals were moved into suitable long-term accommodation, a decrease of 7% from July 2024 but an increase of 14% from July 2023. Of these, 254 were dependent children aged under 16, a decrease of 3% from July 2024 and a decrease of 10% from July 2023.
Rough sleepers
Figure 6: Number of rough sleepers in Wales, April 2023 to July 2025
Description of Figure 6: A line chart showing that the number of rough sleepers fluctuates throughout the year. Numbers peaked at 204 in August 2024 and dropped to lows of 116 in both February and December 2024.
Source: Welsh local authority homelessness services
Rough sleepers by local authority (StatsWales)
As at 31 July 2025, there were an estimated 161 individuals sleeping rough throughout Wales. This is 25 fewer than the 186 individuals sleeping rough at 31 July 2024 and 13 fewer than the 174 individuals sleeping rough at 31 July 2023. Cardiff (32), Ceredigion (23), Torfaen (15), Swansea (14) and Newport (14) were the local authorities reporting the highest numbers of individuals sleeping rough. All other local authorities reported 12 or fewer individuals sleeping rough, with 4 local authorities reporting zero. [footnote-4]
Quality and methodology information
This monthly data collection was introduced during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic initially as Management Information. These data have now undergone the appropriate quality assurance protocols for Official Statistics. The data may be revised in future therefore the figures for the latest month should be treated as provisional.
Following the introduction of this collection, Welsh Government worked with local authorities to develop this publication and to strengthen the data collection guidance and improve data quality. Due to this development, we saw an improvement in data quality from April 2023 and have therefore started the Wales data series from this time point. Not all data is available at local authority level from this date. Local authority breakdowns are provided from the point where relevant guidance had been introduced and used by local authorities.
We do not recommend making month-to-month comparisons, as there may be seasonal impacts on homelessness or other reasons for fluctuations. These may become clearer and further commentary possible as data becomes available in subsequent years.
Most statistics in this release refer to number of individuals. However, for placements into temporary accommodation the statistics refer to number of occurrences of placements, as individuals may be placed more than once.
In line with feedback from the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), we have produced a quality report to accompany this statistical release. The report provides detailed information on the data sources, methodology, and quality considerations, helping users to better understand and interpret the statistics. The Homelessness accommodation provision and rough sleeping quality report is available on the Welsh Government website.
Revisions
Where revisions have occurred since the publication of last month’s data, figures will differ from those previously published. Figures that have been revised since previously published are marked with an [r].
This month there have been revisions to the following data: Numbers placed in temporary accommodation during June 2025. Homeless individuals living in temporary accommodation at the end of June 2025. Homeless individuals moved into suitable long-term accommodation in June 2025. Numbers of rough sleepers in June 2025.
Statutory homelessness
It is important to note the following differences between this monthly data collection and our publications on statutory homelessness:
- The monthly information relates to the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and being supported by local authorities into emergency accommodation or suitable long-term accommodation.
- Our collections on statutory homelessness capture data on number of households, not individuals. That data relates to homelessness as defined by the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 (UK legislation).
Rough sleeping
For this data collection, local authorities are asked to base their estimates on local intelligence, rather than the methodology employed for the previous rough sleeper counts.
In August 2024, Welsh Government made the decision to cease the annual national rough sleeper count with immediate effect. Further details can be found in the Proposals to stop the annual national rough sleeper count: summary of responses.
Due to the different methodologies, it is not appropriate to compare rough sleeping figures from this monthly collection with those from previous annual rough sleeper counts.
Statutory homelessness statistics for the other UK countries
In June 2025, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published Homelessness in the UK: 2004 to 2024, which provides a comprehensive overview of homelessness trends and the comparability of data across the four nations in the UK. The report highlights that while efforts have been made to improve the coherence of homelessness statistics, significant differences remain due to the devolved nature of housing and homelessness legislation.
Each UK country continues to collect and report homelessness data based on its own legal definitions and administrative systems, which limits the ability to make direct comparisons. Although broad trends can be compared, there is still no harmonised definition of homelessness for UK official statistics. The report builds on earlier work by the Government Statistical Service (GSS), which in 2019 published the Harmonisation of Definitions of Homelessness for UK Official Statistics: A Feasibility Report which concluded that harmonisation was not feasible in the short term due to these structural differences.
Individual level data collection
Currently, homelessness data in Wales is gathered through aggregate returns from local authorities, providing information on households applying for housing assistance and the outcomes of those applications. Work is ongoing to transition to a new data collection approach that will capture individual-level data on homelessness applicants. We believe this shift will significantly enhance our understanding of homelessness in Wales and ultimately support efforts to improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
A data pilot is planned for October to November 2025, simulating the proposed quarterly data collection. Findings and outcomes from the pilot will be shared with stakeholders in December 2025.
The individual-level data collection is planned to be rolled-out from April 2026. Initially it will be dually run with the aggregate collection.
Statement of compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics
All of our statistics are produced and published in accordance with a number of statements and protocols to enhance trustworthiness, quality and value. These are set out in the Welsh Government’s Statement of Compliance.
These official statistics demonstrate the standards expected around trustworthiness, quality and public value in the following ways.
Trustworthiness
These statistics are based on monthly returns directly from local authority homelessness services. Figures are checked and queried where necessary by Welsh Government statisticians.
Quality
The published figures provided are compiled by professional analysts using the latest available data and applying methods using their professional judgement and analytical skillset. Statistics published by Welsh Government adhere to the Statistical Quality Management Strategy which supplements the Quality pillar of the Code of Practice for Statistics (UK Statistics Authority) and the European Statistical System principles of quality for statistical outputs.
Most of the data included comes from administrative sources which are used in the management of homelessness services. The data is dependent on local authorities maintaining accurate records.
Further information on data quality is available in the quality report.
Value
The purpose of the statistical release is to provide evidence for policy development; to allow local authorities to monitor and benchmark their service provision against all other local authorities in Wales; and to inform for the wider public about homelessness provision and rough sleeping across Wales. The monthly statistical release also supports the Welsh Government’s long-term plan for homelessness: Homelessness strategy.
The release is as timely as possible whilst maintaining reliability, with generally around a 2-month lag between the data currency and availability. Making this information available monthly provides a regular source of data on the provision of homelessness accommodation and rough sleeping.
Well-being of Future Generations Act (WFG)
The Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales. The Act puts in place seven wellbeing goals for Wales. These are for a more equal, prosperous, resilient, healthier and globally responsible Wales, with cohesive communities and a vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language. Under section (10)(1) of the Act, the Welsh Ministers must (a) publish indicators (“national indicators”) that must be applied for the purpose of measuring progress towards the achievement of the wellbeing goals, and (b) lay a copy of the national indicators before Senedd Cymru. Under section 10(8) of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, where the Welsh Ministers revise the national indicators, they must as soon as reasonably practicable (a) publish the indicators as revised and (b) lay a copy of them before the Senedd. These national indicators were laid before the Senedd in 2021. The indicators laid on 14 December 2021 replace the set laid on 16 March 2016.
Information on the indicators, along with narratives for each of the wellbeing goals and associated technical information is available in the Wellbeing of Wales report.
Further information on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
The statistics included in this release could also provide supporting narrative to the national indicators and be used by public services boards in relation to their local wellbeing assessments and local wellbeing plans.
Footnotes
[1] Newport did not submit data for July 2025 so June 2025 data has been implemented in this headline.
[2] Neath Port Talbot’s ‘other’ figures are for households and not individuals.
[3] Disclosure control has been applied to the figures for placements into temporary accommodation and to accompanying data on StatsWales. Figures smaller than 3 have been supressed and shown as a ‘*’. All other figures are rounded independently to the nearest 3.
[4] Local authorities are asked to base these estimates on local intelligence, rather than a one-night count.