Rough sleeper numbers across the Dorset Council area have fallen to their lowest level since 2022, bucking both the regional and national upward trends.
The latest annual snapshot recorded 14 people sleeping rough in Dorset in 2025, down from 15 the previous year.
This comes despite an 11% rise across the South West. There was also a 3% rise in rough sleeping across England, where the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night last Autumn was 4,793. This is a record level since the system was introduced in 2010, exceeding the previous peak of 4,751 in 2017 and is the fourth annual increase in a row.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) carries out an annual snapshot survey each autumn. Dorset’s figures for the last five years show relatively stable numbers, with 14 recorded in 2025, 15 in both 2024 and 2023, 12 in 2022 and 13 in 2021.
Weymouth continues to see the highest concentration of people sleeping rough, though smaller numbers are found in Bridport, Dorchester, Swanage and Wimborne. Preventing rough sleeping and supporting those who become street homeless remains a high priority for the Council.
Dorset Council receives funding from the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG), which supports ten commissioned services and several internal posts. This funding helps provide a coordinated approach to tackling homelessness across the county.
Key partners include Julian House, The Lantern Trust, Shelter, The Bus Shelter and Citizens Advice.
- Julian House delivers assertive outreach six days a week, a Navigator service to support people’s transition into stable accommodation and supported housing at Roundhayes in Weymouth.
- The Lantern Trust provides supported lettings, landlord engagement and personalised education, training and employment support.
- Shelter works intensively with individuals who have complex needs
- The Bus Shelter offers 24/7 supported accommodation for up to 12 people.
- Citizens Advice provides specialist advice at the Lantern Hub in Weymouth, helping residents manage housing costs, tackle debt and sustain accommodation.
Councillor Gill Taylor, Cabinet Portfolio Lead for Housing and Health, welcomed the local fall in numbers but emphasised that more work is needed: “Our providers do an amazing job in helping tackle rough sleeping. We work closely with partners to put support and accommodation in place wherever we can.”
The Council continues to invest in homelessness prevention services, including its Housing Advice helpline, which offers early intervention to help people avoid reaching crisis point. Dorset Council is working with Citizens Advice and Shelter to offer free, confidential support to anyone paying rent or a mortgage, as well as those facing relationship breakdowns or worrying about their accommodation.
Residents are encouraged to seek help early. For information, guidance or support, call Dorset Council’s Housing Advice helpline on 01305 221000
Anyone who is concerned about a rough sleeper and wants to let people know about the situation should contact the StreetLink – Connecting people sleeping rough to local services website
