Homelessness In England Far Higher Than Official Data Suggests, Study Finds. The scale of homelessness in England is far greater than government figures indicate, according to new research by the charity Crisis. The study, carried out with Heriot-Watt University, found that around 189,000 people and families experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, sofa surfing, or living in tents — are missing from official statistics. Crisis says the government’s data only counts those who declare themselves homeless to local authorities, leaving thousands unrecorded. The charity estimates that overall, around 300,000 people are now facing severe homelessness — a 20% rise since 2022. One of the main drivers, researchers say, is a sharp increase in unsuitable temporary accommodation, which has more than doubled since 2020. That includes unsafe B&Bs and housing far from support networks. The government says it is investing £1 billion in homelessness services next year — an increase of £316 million — to help tackle the crisis. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT