Funding to double for plan to move rough sleepers off streets by Christmas

More money for the pledge

The government’s commitment is for each rough sleeper to have the option of moving into accommodation by Christmas or to be offered support aimed at preventing rough sleeping. The pledge was among Burnham’s early announcements after becoming prime minister in July.

Initial funding has supported specialist outreach teams and additional bed spaces in Coventry. Further provision is planned in Plymouth and Camden, in north London, in the coming weeks.

Housing groups seek homes

Separately, leaders from 40 organisations in housing and homelessness signed an open letter last week. They called for Local Housing Allowance rates to be restored so they reflect local rents, saying this could help prevent homelessness and reduce dependence on temporary accommodation.

The letter says linking the allowance to local rents would mainly assist tenants under financial pressure and help more people remain in their homes. The latest official count estimated 4,793 people were sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn 2025.

Questions over past record

Burnham said governments could choose whether to accept rough sleeping, but added that ending it required support from across society. He said the summit was bringing businesses, charities and local leaders together to pursue a lasting solution.

Conservative Lam criticised the additional funding, saying Burnham had not resolved rough sleeping in Greater Manchester. Burnham had pledged to end it there by 2020 after taking office.

The number in Greater Manchester later fell to 90 in 2021, then rose annually to 197 by 2025. Lam also argued that the government’s response relied on public spending and promises, and called on Healey to address living costs and taxpayer value.