Burnham Unveils £442m Plan to Get Rough Sleepers Off Streets by Christmas

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442 million national drive to offer every rough sleeper in England a route off the streets by Christmas. The plan draws on the “Everyone In” approach used during the Covid-19 pandemic, when thousands of people sleeping rough were moved into emergency accommodation. The new programme will provide emergency housing as well as support with health, addiction and other needs.

The funding includes £340 million previously announced for longer term accommodation and support, plus an additional £102 million for immediate measures this winter. Areas facing the greatest need will receive the largest share. Burnham has also announced a national summit this autumn, bringing together councils, charities, businesses, health organisations and faith groups to coordinate efforts to tackle homelessness.

The latest government figures estimate that 4,793 people were sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn 2025, the highest figure recorded and the fourth consecutive annual increase. However, the government has not set a specific target for how many people must be off the streets by Christmas and officials acknowledge that some rough sleepers may not accept the offer.

Homelessness charities have welcomed the funding but stressed that temporary accommodation alone will not solve the wider housing crisis. Burnham’s government says the Christmas initiative is intended as the first major step towards its longer term goal of ending rough sleeping in England.