As of the latest official "Rough Sleeping Snapshot" from late 2025, Cornwall continues to face a significant homelessness challenge, with an estimated 65 people sleeping rough on any given night. This represents a 23% increase from the previous year, reflecting a broader national trend in England. While 65 may seem like a small number, Cornwall consistently ranks among the local authorities with the highest number of rough sleepers outside of major urban centers like London. However, "rough sleeping" is only one part of the story. The broader "homelessness rate" includes those in temporary accommodation, "sofa surfing," or living in inadequate conditions; local charities like St Petrocs report that thousands of households in Cornwall are currently seeking support for housing instability. The crisis in 2026 is driven by a unique combination of factors: a high density of second homes and holiday rentals reducing the long-term rental stock, rapidly rising private rents, and a severe shortage of affordable social housing in the region.