Burnham Pledges £340 Million to End Rough Sleeping, Targeting 1,200 Homes and 3,000 People
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 20
Burnham Pledges £340 Million to End Rough Sleeping, Targeting 1,200 Homes and 3,000 People
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 20
Summary
£340 million in new funding will back Andy Burnham’s first policy as prime minister, with the government aiming to secure 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people.
The plan starts with people sleeping rough long term, moving them into secure housing through support services and the acquisition of suitable homes.
Burnham said his Greater Manchester experience showed local efforts alone could not cut numbers sustainably, arguing a national push is needed after schemes such as A Bed Every Night and the pandemic-era Everyone In program.
4,793 people were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in England in autumn 2025, a record high and the fourth straight annual increase, underscoring the scale of the target.
With 180,000 homeless, can £340 million for 1,200 homes truly solve the UK's rough sleeping crisis?
His Manchester pledge fell short. What makes Andy Burnham's new national homelessness plan different?
Andy Burnham’s Five-Year Mission: Ending Rough Sleeping and Delivering the Largest Council House Program Since WWII
Overview
Upon becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham immediately launched an ambitious program that sets a clear and urgent priority for his new administration. This initiative signals a strong commitment to reshaping the nation’s social and economic landscape, aiming to address long-standing challenges through a multi-faceted approach. Central to the plan is the pledge to start the largest council homes building program since the post-war era, directly targeting the housing crisis. By substantially increasing affordable housing, the government intends to provide stable and accessible homes for many, marking a strategic shift in national policy and a bold step toward lasting change.