As London endures its third significant heatwave of 2026, outreach workers are raising urgent alarms about the perilous conditions faced by the capital's rough sleepers. Homelessness charities warn that the city's urban landscape, characterised by extensive concrete and limited tree cover, intensifies the heat, making it a particularly dangerous environment for those without shelter. This comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently pledged to eradicate rough sleeping in England.
Josie Ashdown, a lead manager at Thames Reach, highlighted the structural challenges, stating, “The city is not built for heat. You can feel that the concrete makes it hotter here than probably anywhere else in the country at points, and there’s hardly any tree cover.” Outreach teams from organisations like Thames Reach and St Mungo's are working around the clock, distributing water, conducting welfare checks, and guiding vulnerable individuals to cooler locations. However, the sheer number of people sleeping rough, combined with the severity of the heat, presents significant hurdles.
Dr. Jennie Leggat, formerly a policy fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Science and Policy, emphasised that rough sleepers are far more susceptible to extreme heat than the general population. Beyond direct exposure, she noted the often-overlooked barriers to finding respite. Many rely on begging, which necessitates remaining outdoors, often in direct sunlight within hot urban areas. Furthermore, long-term rough sleepers frequently suffer from chronic health conditions, such as mobility issues and heart problems, which are exacerbated by high temperatures. Essential medications, like insulin, also become challenging to store safely in the heat.
The practical difficulties are stark. Tom*, a man in his 60s who has been homeless for several years, described the experience: “You’ve just got to bear it. It’s like being in a hot country. It drains you.” He noted the extreme difficulty of finding places to rest, with even public transport feeling like a sauna. Another significant challenge is the need for rough sleepers to carry all their possessions, including winter clothing, due to fears of theft. Anneke Ziemen of Thames Reach recounted an instance of a man dressed in heavy winter attire during a heatwave, explaining he needed to protect his belongings for when colder weather arrived.
The mental health implications are also growing. Ashdown noted an increase in situations where outreach teams have concerns about individuals’ capacity to make safe decisions regarding the heat. Last summer, Thames Reach even arranged a Mental Health Act assessment for a man lying in direct sunlight under heavy layers, underscoring the severe cognitive impact heat stress can have. The frustration among rough sleepers is palpable, with many expressing a desperate need for more adequate shelter during these increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.