Burnham Unveils £442 Million Plan to House All Rough Sleepers in England by Christmas
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 18
Burnham Unveils £442 Million Plan to House All Rough Sleepers in England by Christmas
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 18
Summary
£102 million in new funding lifts Andy Burnham’s rough-sleeping commitment to £442 million, with the prime minister promising every rough sleeper in England emergency accommodation this winter.
The package pairs beds with wraparound support such as mental health, psychiatric and drug-and-alcohol services, and aims to deliver more than 1,000 permanent homes over the next three years.
4,793 people were estimated to be sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn 2025, up 96% in five years, though charities say the official snapshot understates the scale.
Crisis and Shelter called the move significant and potentially game-changing, while urging broader prevention and more social housing so people do not return to the streets.
Opposition parties questioned delivery and funding, with Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Reform arguing the plan lacks detail even as Burnham says it is fully funded within the housing budget.