Burnham pledges £442m to end rough sleeping by Christmas
New funding package includes £102m for support services, building on previous housing pledges, as campaigners warn broader temporary accommodation crisis remains unresolved
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a £442 million national drive to eliminate rough sleeping in England by Christmas, directing local leaders to ensure a route off the streets is available for anyone seeking accommodation. The initiative solidifies homelessness as a central policy pillar for his administration, aiming to replicate the success of the pandemic-era “Everyone In” scheme through a coordinated national effort.
The funding package comprises an initial £340 million pledge for accommodation, which officials estimate will deliver 1,200 new homes and support 3,000 individuals over five years. The new announcement adds £102 million for essential support services, including medical care and addiction treatment. Within this sum, £8.4 million is allocated to the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund to assist charities and community organisations.
Burnham stated he would not instruct local authorities or mayors on how to deploy the funds, asserting that regional leaders are best positioned to identify local needs. The government is not currently considering legislative changes to mandate accommodation for all rough sleepers, as current obligations only apply to those with “priority need”, such as families with children.
Officials acknowledge that some individuals may remain on the streets at Christmas if they refuse accommodation, as authorities cannot force entry into housing. Consequently, the Prime Minister is not setting a specific numerical target for the reduction of rough sleeping, with ministers indicating only that “real progress” should be made by the end of the year.
Rough sleeping numbers in England reached a record 4,793 in autumn 2025, following a decline during the pandemic when student accommodation and holiday rentals were mobilised. While homelessness campaigners welcomed the initiative, they emphasised that long-term solutions are required to address the broader crisis, which includes nearly 178,000 children currently living in temporary accommodation.
