Sleeping rough can refer to the experience of living on the streets, sleeping in parks, or squatting in empty or derelict buildings.  

The majority of people who are experiencing homelessness are not sleeping rough, but rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness. Rough sleeping is a dangerous, traumatising and isolating form of homelessness and people sleeping rough often have multiple physical and mental health conditions that put them at greater risk of dying earlier than the general population. 

Rough sleeping is a health emergency.  People sleeping rough on our streets are caught in a cycle: Unable to access the healthcare and support they need without stable housing, but at the same time they cannot access or keep housing without getting the healthcare and support they need. And those health issues escalate each night they are without a home.